Are Canadians 'Owning The Throne'?

Our Crowns May be Tarnished: Research Reveals Constipation Woes Are Interfering With Quality of Life

TORONTO, June 13, 2016 /CNW/ - With warmer weather right around the corner, Canadians will be looking to keep their bodies in prime health to take advantage of everything the warmer season has to offer. Along with the rising temperature, many might be finding it difficult to stick to their regular bathroom routines. The most recent Dulcolax® Bowel Health Poll found that almost one third of Canadians say that constipation interferes with their quality of life and some even feel they are wasting time on something that should just work on its ownⁱ. It is clear that these Canadians who show signs of constipation want to get back to "owning the throne" and feel empowered about their bowel health this season. 

According to The Canadian Digestive Heath Foundation, constipation is defined by infrequent or difficult bowel movementsⁱⁱ.  The Dulcolax® Bowel Health Poll found that one-in-seven Canadians feel their bowel movements are inconsistent and one in ten feel their bowel movements are uncomfortableⁱⁱⁱ. The key is, whether you go once or up to four times a day, everyone's "regular" can be different – it all comes down to what feels right for your body.

"With summer shorts season just around the corner, Canadians want to keep digestive health top of mind as they tackle their button discomfort and belly bloat. Focusing on eating the right things can help you confidently breeze through any pool party or camping trip. Be sure to avoid gassy foods like cabbage and broccoli before you have to get into a swimsuit, stay on top of your 25 grams of fibre per day and drink plenty of water." says Theresa Albert, Nutritionist. "Of course we should get excited about summer vacations, barbecues and outdoor dining but you also want to make sure your health doesn't fall to the wayside."

Let's Talk Number Two – when you gotta go, you gotta go!
What makes constipation a particularly difficult condition is that many people are actually embarrassed to talk about it. This was illustrated by the seven in ten Canadians who reported that they would feel comfortable discussing their bowel movements with their doctor but only two in five would feel comfortable discussing the subject with their partner, and even fewer would discuss it with a close friend, parent or co-worker^iv. But the embarrassment around "number two" isn't limited to talking about it; it also includes concerns around where it takes place. The new research discovered that over one-in-four Canadians avoid bathroom situations in the office^v. Avoiding the bathroom at work, where Canadians spend an average of 36.6 hours per week^vi, could not only impact productivity but could also exacerbate the problem of constipation.

Women Want Reliability and Predictability – both in and out of the bathroom!
Canadians who do experience difficulty when it comes to bowel movements are looking for predictable relief^vii, especially women, as constipation rates for them are nearly twice as high compared to men^viii. The new research indicates that half of Canadians say that having control and predictability with their bowel movements is important to them^ix. The research also revealed that over two-fifths of Canadian women avoid bathroom situations at a restaurant or the movies which could make planning a night out impossible when they are backed up^x. For some, their discomfort even impacts intimacy with their partner^xi. But Canadian women don't need to feel alone with bowel health issues and should feel empowered to take control and "own the throne."

Feeling Backed Up? Get Back to Owning the Throne
Just as the definitions of constipation can vary, so can the solutions. First and foremost, Canadians need to open up and talk about bowel movements because being constipated can be an indicator of something as simple as lifestyle factors or symptoms of something more serious. 

"Women are the most affected by constipation and we just don't talk about it. I don't get why we think there is nothing more embarrassing than having to 'go' at work, at a friend's place or heaven forbid, on a date! Simple shifts in diet and lifestyle can keep you regular," says nutritionist Theresa Albert. "But, if these adjustments don't work and you're still suffering there are treatment options for occasional constipation such as Dulcolax® Laxative tablets^xii . I like that it can be taken at bedtime so it works while you sleep, and you can get relief in the morning before you start your next summer adventure."

With lifestyle adjustments and treatment options if you still don't find relief, it is paramount that you see a doctor or healthcare practitioner, no matter how embarrassed you may be about the situation, because it may be a sign of something more serious.

For more information, please visit dulcolax.ca or http://www.myconstipationrelief.com/ca_en/. To be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label.

About The Poll
A survey of 1,548 Canadians was completed online between March 9 and 12, 2015 using Leger's online panel, LegerWeb. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. Leger's online panel has approximately 460,000 members nationally – with between 10,000 and 20,000 new members added each month, and has a retention rate of 90%. Panel members are randomly selected to receive email invitations to the individual surveys.

Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates globally with 145 affiliates and a total of more than 47,500 employees. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Social responsibility is an important element of the corporate culture at Boehringer Ingelheim. This includes worldwide involvement in social projects, such as the initiative "Making more Health" and caring for employees. Respect, equal opportunities and reconciling career and family form the foundation of the mutual cooperation. In everything it does, the company focuses on environmental protection and sustainability.

In 2015, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.8 billion euros. R&D expenditure corresponds to 20.3 per cent of its net sales.

The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 600 people across Canada.

For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca

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ⁱ Leger. "Dulcolax® Bowel Health Poll 2015: Online survey conducted among 1548 adults 18+ yrs. old from March 9-12, 2015." 
ⁱⁱ Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. "Understanding constipation." http://www.cdhf.ca/bank/document_en/5constipation-.pdf Last accessed April, 2016. 
ⁱⁱⁱ Leger. "Dulcolax® Bowel Health Poll 2015: Online survey conducted among 1548 adults 18+ yrs. old from March 9-12, 2015." 
^iv Ibid 
^v Ibid 
^vi http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/[email protected]?iid=19
^vii Leger. "Dulcolax® Bowel Health Poll 2015: Online survey conducted among 1548 adults 18+ yrs. old from March 9-12, 2015." 
^viii Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. "Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Constipation in Canada: A Special Report from the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation." February 2014. http://www.cdhf.ca/bank/document_en/76understanding-the-prevalence-and-impact-of-constipation-in-canada.pdf Last accessed April, 2016. 
^ix Leger. "Dulcolax® Bowel Health Poll 2015: Online survey conducted among 1548 adults 18+ yrs. old from March 9-12, 2015." 
^x Ibid 
^xi Ibid 
^xii "Products: At a glance Dulcolax® International." Dulcolax.ca. http://www.dulcolax.ca/en/products/glance.html Last accessed April, 2016.

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.

Aliya Darvesh, [email protected], 416-969-2777