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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 5, 2014 6:23 PM IST
Researchers have developed an oral capsule that vibrates as it moves through the digestive tract has shown notable promise as a non-pharmacological treatment for constipation. In the pilot study, the vibrating capsule was found to nearly double the weekly bowel movements of patients suffering from chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS).
Yishai Ron, MD, lead researcher for the study and director of Neurogastroenterology and Motility at Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center's Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, said despite the widespread use of medication to treat constipation, nearly 50 percent of patients are unsatisfied with the treatment either because of side effects, safety concerns about long-term use, or the fact that it simply doesn't work.
Twenty-six patients took the vibrating capsule twice per week and responded to a daily bowel movement and laxative use questionnaire. All patients initially underwent a two-week preliminary period without the use of laxatives. Patients reported an increase in spontaneous bowel movements from two to four times per week, as well as a decrease in constipation symptoms, including reduced difficulty in passing stools and incomplete evacuation. The study also found minimal side effects from the capsule use. (Read: Top 10 home remedies for constipation)
The capsule, which houses a small engine inside, is programmed to begin vibrating six to eight hours after swallowing. The vibrations (mechanical stimulations) cause contractions in the intestine, which help move stool through the digestive tract. (Read: How triphala can help treat constipation)
What is constipation?
Constipation is a common gastro-intestinal problem in which a person has less number of bowel movements. Person suffering from constipation pass hard, dry and interrupted stools, making bowel movements extremely painful and energy consuming. Constipation is basically caused when the stool spends too much of time in the colon and is not moved forward. Lack of fibre-rich foods in the diet or inadequate water intake are main reasons why the stools are not formed properly or moved smoothly though the colon. As a result, the colon absorbs water from stools to make them hard and dry. Hardness and dryness make it more difficult for the rectal muscles to discard stools out of the body. That's why some people may feel bloated or may experience stomach pain with severe constipation. Most people do suffer from constipation at some point in their lives but very few do something to actually treat it because they are not aware about the complications. Constipation can be acute or chronic. Acute constipation occurs suddenly and may last for a short time, whereas chronic constipation can last for a really long time, sometimes even for years together. It can also cause hemorrhoids (piles) due to increased pressure on the blood vessels surrounding the rectum. (Read: Top 10 causes of constipation)
With inputs from ANI
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