EVALUATION OF DIETARY ASPECTS AND INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF SENNA ALEXANDRINA IN THE TREATMENT OF INTESTINAL CONSTIPATION PICTURES

Abstract

Intestinal constipation is the most common digestive complaint in the population, accounting for about 2.5 million medical visits per year. In addition, women have biological issues, related to estrogen and progesterone that directly interfere with gastrointestinal motility. Treatment for constipation includes a combination of dietary interventions, education, and the use of medications such as oral laxatives. However, it is noticed, increasingly, the use and acceptance of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by the population. Among the various medicinal plants used by the population, we have senna alexandrina, popularly known in Brazil as senna, the in natura plant and senna extracts, which are used in the treatment of constipation. This study aimed to evaluate dietary aspects and investigate the use of senna alexandrine in the treatment of constipation conditions in the studied population. The survey data were collected through an online form, where participants answered 19 questions, thus characterizing their sociodemographic and anthropometric profile, dietary aspects (water intake and fiber consumption) and the use of medicines and herbal products in the treatment of intestinal constipation. In the present study with dietary aspects, there is a low water intake where 60.8% of the participants were classified as having hypohydration and regarding fibers 100% of the participants have consumption below adequate, about 36% of the participants presented an indicative table for constipation. About the use of Senna alexandrine, it was the most mentioned by the participants 43,75 reported using it to treat intestinal constipation.