Cases of Constipation and Hemorrhoids in Thailand?

[gejohesch]

23 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

What exactly is Thai-Isan food?  

Good question. As Isan is where I spend my time when I'm in Thailand, and my wife is from there, I guess a lot of the food I see has got a typical Isan touch to it. To be clear, I lived a few years in Bangkok, years back, and I could not be too specific in what the differences are between Bangkok and Isan, whether street food or restaurant food. Then again, one has to realise that a good part of the food on offer in Bangkok is prepared by Isan people!

 

One thing I have noticed : I have nearly never seen people in Isan making the famous Thai curries (gaeng khiao waan or gaeng masaman for example), not even in the restaurants (maybe upscale restaurants do them). I might be wrong, and also that maybe is not unique to Isan. 

 

As for food made in the houses themselves, what I have seen over many, many years now is that it is always the same few things. I do not see any interest whatsoever to look for new recipes (my wife being an exception). And I confess I end up being rather bored with it.

 

I'm sure other participants in the discussion can add much more to this.

[RSD1]

52 minutes ago, gejohesch said:

as a number of Thais I have come across, she has a tendency to politely listen and nod her head, or just brush away the discussion outright ..... and do everything her own old way anyway!

If that’s the case, then unfortunately this whole discussion could just end up being some new knowledge for you, but with nothing actually changing for her in a positive way. It sounds quite possible that she’ll continue dealing with the same chronic problems for the foreseeable future without any improvement.

 

One thing people often don’t grasp as they get older is that staying healthy usually requires making real lifestyle changes, especially with diet and habits and could also require adding in health some supplements too.
 

It’s tough for a lot of people to accept. They’ve spent so much of their life doing whatever they want, carefree, that the idea of putting in extra effort feels like too much. The result is that many go through their later years unnecessarily suffering, never feeling as good or as strong as they could, or dealing with chronic ailments, simply because they refuse to make some small, health-benefiting changes that would help them.

 

[RSD1]

8 minutes ago, gejohesch said:

Good question. As Isan is where I spend my time when I'm in Thailand, and my wife is from there, I guess a lot of the food I see has got a typical Isan touch to it. To be clear, I lived a few years in Bangkok, years back, and I could not be too specific in what the differences are between Bangkok and Isan, whether street food or restaurant food. Then again, one has to realise that a good part of the food on offer in Bangkok is prepared by Isan people!

 

One thing I have noticed : I have nearly never seen people in Isan making the famous Thai curries (gaeng khiao waan or gaeng masaman for example), not even in the restaurants (maybe upscale restaurants do them). I might be wrong, and also that maybe is not unique to Isan. 

 

As for food made in the houses themselves, what I have seen over many, many years now is that it is always the same few things. I do not see any interest whatsoever to look for new recipes (my wife being an exception). And I confess I end up being rather bored with it.

 

I'm sure other participants in the discussion can add much more to this.

The "Isan Diet" isn't the problem. It's the lack of water, possible lack of exercise, lack of fiber and the possible inclusion of other things in the diet that lead to poor digestion. 
 

Also, if somebody is not drinking enough water to begin with, and if they drink coffee regularly throughout the day, then coffee can also decrease the level of water in the bowels as coffee is a diuretic known to dehydrate the body even further. Alcohol can also have the same unwanted effect.

[Harrisfan]

3 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

The "Isan Diet" isn't the problem. It's the lack of water, possible lack of exercise, lack of fiber and the possible inclusion of other things in the diet that lead to poor digestion. 
 

Also, if somebody is not drinking enough water to begin with, and if they drink coffee regularly throughout the day, then coffee can also decrease the level of water in the bowels as coffee is a diuretic known to dehydrate the body even further. Alcohol can also have the same unwanted effect.

Too much fiber is usually it. They eat fruit a lot.

[RSD1]

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Too much fiber is usually it. They eat fruit a lot.

The average adult should be consuming about 30 grams per day. Very few adults ever achieve that amount, no matter how much fruit they eat.

[Harrisfan]

Just now, RSD1 said:

The average adult should be consuming about 30 grams per day. Very few adults ever achieve that amount, no matter how much fruit they eat.

Carnivores dont eat any. Fiber is overrated and the science is iffy.

[Mike_Hunt]

10 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Too much fiber is usually it. They eat fruit a lot.

I changed my diet to include more fruits and fiber, resulting in a larger volume of poop. 

[Mike_Hunt]

22 minutes ago, gejohesch said:

Good question. As Isan is where I spend my time when I'm in Thailand, and my wife is from there, I guess a lot of the food I see has got a typical Isan touch to it. To be clear, I lived a few years in Bangkok, years back, and I could not be too specific in what the differences are between Bangkok and Isan, whether street food or restaurant food. Then again, one has to realise that a good part of the food on offer in Bangkok is prepared by Isan people!

 

One thing I have noticed : I have nearly never seen people in Isan making the famous Thai curries (gaeng khiao waan or gaeng masaman for example), not even in the restaurants (maybe upscale restaurants do them). I might be wrong, and also that maybe is not unique to Isan. 

 

As for food made in the houses themselves, what I have seen over many, many years now is that it is always the same few things. I do not see any interest whatsoever to look for new recipes (my wife being an exception). And I confess I end up being rather bored with it.

 

I'm sure other participants in the discussion can add much more to this.

I know a woman from Issan who has constipation issues from time to time.   I feel like she need to drink more water. 

[RSD1]

Anyone who downplays the importance of getting at least 30 grams a day of both soluble and insoluble fiber isn’t just uninformed, they’re willfully ignorant. Don’t waste your breath talking digestion or constipation with people like that. They’re not serious. They’re the same type who stagger through life spouting half-baked anecdotes, whining about how awful they feel, while refusing to make a single meaningful change.

[Harrisfan]

5 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

Anyone who downplays the importance of getting at least 30 grams a day of both soluble and insoluble fiber isn’t just uninformed, they’re willfully ignorant. Don’t waste your breath talking digestion or constipation with people like that. They’re not serious. They’re the type who stagger through life spouting half-baked anecdotes, whining about how awful they feel, while clutching a frappuccino in one hand and refusing to make a single meaningful change.

https://youtu.be/Tc6_OXArHEs?si=sVmjwCEUPfWLyD-k

[Harrisfan]

 

[proton]

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

What Lacessit said is as close as it gets. My girlfriend, ex wife and others I know all complain about constipation, and they all eat fruits. Too much of the white rice, which doesn't have the fiber brown does, binds you up, and many also don't drink enough water here, especially seeing it's a place where it's usually always hot and they're outside a lot. It's been my problem also, not drinking enough water. You have to remind yourself or carry a bottle around with you because you tend to not drink unless thirsty.

 

They do eat a lot of vegetables which are good fiber sources but rice every meal is never a good idea. This is also why many gain extra weight when they get older, even if they aren't drinking the sugar sodas or eating western food. Your body needs less carbs when you age.

 

Rice is good when you have diarrhea, but too much gets the you other problem. Others here recommended seeds and psyllium, which are good. As well as limiting dairy. Some have either or the bowel problems every now and then, as being regular isn't the easiest thing to do, especially if you're sedentary. 

 

 

Chronic constipation in Thailand, without physlium or enemas nothing is going to happen. Went home for a month this year no problem, so it must be either more exercise at home or the heat here. Even 7/11 has plenty of constipation remedies and unison enemas, so it must be a Thai problem as well. Don't eat much rice and plenty of fibre.

[proton]

2 hours ago, RSD1 said:

 

What kind of suppositories? Steroid based to reduce inflammation from hemorrhoids?

 

You can get the ones on the following links in just about any Thai pharmacy. The brand is Doproct. About 80 Baht a box for 10:

 

http://www.pharmbma.com/drug-list/b/40-benzocaine-hydrocortisone-zinc-suppository

https://www.yaatoyou.com/product/1132186

 

No the Glycerol ones, makes you go in 15 minutes, Boots sell in the UK but not here

[RSD1]

20 minutes ago, proton said:

 

No the Glycerol ones, makes you go in 15 minutes, Boots sell in the UK but not here

Ok, different thing. Sorry, I'm not familiar with those. 

[proton]

27 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

Ok, different thing. Sorry, I'm not familiar with those. 

 

Very effective

[geisha]

On 6/11/2025 at 12:21 PM, Lacessit said:

IMO the prime cause of constipation in Thailand is rice, particularly the sticky rice variety. Most Thais eat white rice, not brown rice which has fibre. The also eat it with nearly every meal, including breakfast.

 

White rice is pure starch, it has next to no fibre.

 

Bamboo, sweet corn, and fruit such as pineapple, apple, Jackfruit and mango are all good sources of fibre. Drinking plenty of water also helps ward off constipation.

 

Hemorrhoids are caused by various factors, including constipation, excessive straining, and obesity.

Exactly, everyone needs a balanced diet, cereals , died prunes , fresh fruit after a meal as it has a lot of sugar, cut out the rice, lots of  veg with the lunch ,´eat fibre foods ( brown rice, ) drink 2 L’water a day, cut out the fat, sugar and salt. 

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Yes, the uncooked fish many here eat in Somtam causes cancer.  A friend's wife who we knew died from it a few years back.

Nonsense. 😂

What kind of cancer you're talking of ???

[Middle Aged Grouch]

She should be looking after you and not the other way considering who is paying for...everything !!!

[Magictoad]

On 6/11/2025 at 5:32 PM, Magictoad said:

Regular fruits in the diet and regular. Forlax mixed with a pint of water daily and when needs be: Hepalac the latter works very quickly and and alternative is glycerin suppositories 

The above recommendation of regular fruits in the diet combined with Forlax in a pint of water once a night; but if the the problem is severe and needs fast action then Hepalac syrup will unblock a person within 48 hours.  Both these two are taken orally (by mouth). However, another common alternative is suppositories; Glycerin suppositories. 

 

[fredwiggy]

10 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Nonsense. 😂

What kind of cancer you're talking of ???

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/somtam-slowly-killing-many-thais-cancer-center-says-172563

[newbee2022]

50 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/somtam-slowly-killing-many-thais-cancer-center-says-172563

There you see. Nonsense. The article is referring to a kind of cervical cancer which can be prevented by HPV vaccine.

In relation to raw fish and cancer his statement is very vague and not proven. In addition it would have an effect on colon cancer. Even this is an assumption. The liver can be affected by worms. Therefore it's necessary to check the raw fish very thouroughly. 

In Japan you eat a lot of raw fish since ages.  Indeed there is a slightly higher rate of "stomach" cancer, which is unknown if it it related to fish. There are assumption that it is the high level of micro plastic or metal in sea fish in general.

 

[fredwiggy]

17 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

There you see. Nonsense. The article is referring to a kind of cervical cancer which can be prevented by HPV vaccine.

In relation to raw fish and cancer his statement is very vague and not proven. In addition it would have an effect on colon cancer. Even this is an assumption. The liver can be affected by worms. Therefore it's necessary to check the raw fish very thouroughly. 

In Japan you eat a lot of raw fish since ages.  Indeed there is a slightly higher rate of "stomach" cancer, which is unknown if it it related to fish. There are assumption that it is the high level of micro plastic or metal in sea fish in general.

 

You can dispute facts all you want, but seeing you have the internet, you can always educate yourself more by research......https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27356687/. That's only one link, and I know personally of one who died and have heard of many more that died from cancers related to raw fish eating................https://www.posttoday.com/lifestyle/133280. Koi Pla should never be eaten, but seeing this is Thailand, and they eat anything that crawls, walks or grows, it will continue In Japan, as in other places, they eat Sushi, which is fish flesh, and not the whole fish like they do here, as well as uncooked crabs, which are also not healthy to eat...........https://www.bbc.com/news/health-33095945.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

You can dispute facts all you want, but seeing you have the internet, you can always educate yourself more by research......https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27356687/. That's only one link, and I know personally of one who died and have heard of many more that died from cancers related to raw fish eating................https://www.posttoday.com/lifestyle/133280. Koi Pla should never be eaten, but seeing this is Thailand, and they eat anything that crawls, walks or grows, it will continue In Japan, as in other places, they eat Sushi, which is fish flesh, and not the whole fish like they do here, as well as uncooked crabs, which are also not healthy to eat...........https://www.bbc.com/news/health-33095945.

Rubbish

[fredwiggy]

Just now, newbee2022 said:

Rubbish

To you maybe. To everyone else, facts.

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

To you maybe. To everyone else, facts.

Sure. Facts. If you know somebody who knows somebody who.....died of cancer.😂 Do you know how many different kind of cancer exist?

Therefore: RUBBISH. 

And don't bother me

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

Sure. Facts. If you know somebody who knows somebody who.....died of cancer.😂 Do you know how many different kind of cancer exist?

Therefore: RUBBISH. 

And don't bother me

Try reading for a change. Going by opinions, which is your obvious course, doesn't teach what's actually happening and has been for decades. I'm thinking you say rubbish without reading links so maybe you should take a few minutes and educate yourself. It says liver cancer from Koi Pla. There are many more links. research more, then comment.

[gejohesch]

8 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

You can dispute facts all you want, but seeing you have the internet, you can always educate yourself more by research......https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27356687/. That's only one link, and I know personally of one who died and have heard of many more that died from cancers related to raw fish eating................https://www.posttoday.com/lifestyle/133280. Koi Pla should never be eaten, but seeing this is Thailand, and they eat anything that crawls, walks or grows, it will continue In Japan, as in other places, they eat Sushi, which is fish flesh, and not the whole fish like they do here, as well as uncooked crabs, which are also not healthy to eat...........https://www.bbc.com/news/health-33095945.

I'm puzzled by the recurring mention of "raw fish being eaten" in Thailand. I cannot remember ever seeing that, or is the meaning "poorly cooked fish"?

[marin]

Referring to Pla Ra.

 

Pla ra (ปลาร้า), sometimes called pla daek (ปลาแดก) in some Northeastern provinces, is a type of fermented fish used in Thai cuisine. It is an ingredient included in most dishes in the Northeast region of Thailand, or Isan. This ingredient is made by fermenting freshwater fish, such as gourami, snakehead, catfish, or small fishes, with salt and rice bran or roasted rice powder in a closed container for at least six months. 

[fredwiggy]

13 minutes ago, gejohesch said:

I'm puzzled by the recurring mention of "raw fish being eaten" in Thailand. I cannot remember ever seeing that, or is the meaning "poorly cooked fish"?

They eat the fish raw all the time in salads. Crabs also, the whole crab, unlike what we eat in the west, just the leg and under shell meat. I can't understand the penchant for eating it, as it's pretty nasty. The whole fish is used, including the innards. I remember when I first came here. A friend of my now ex wife and us were eating cooked Tilapia with veggies. She took a spoon and ate the innards. Some things here are eaten from traditions, and they make many sick, along with killing many each year or giving them cancer.Here's another link to a local doctor..............https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/28/thai-doctor-fights-against-carcinogenic-raw-fish-dish-that-killed-his-parents

[gejohesch]

28 minutes ago, marin said:

Referring to Pla Ra.

 

Pla ra (ปลาร้า), sometimes called pla daek (ปลาแดก) in some Northeastern provinces, is a type of fermented fish used in Thai cuisine. It is an ingredient included in most dishes in the Northeast region of Thailand, or Isan. This ingredient is made by fermenting freshwater fish, such as gourami, snakehead, catfish, or small fishes, with salt and rice bran or roasted rice powder in a closed container for at least six months. 

Thanks! I know Pla Raa, of course, having been around Thailand for so many years. I just did not know "fermented" would be equated with "raw".

 

Personally, I find it totally disgusting, especially the smell. I see everyone in the villages in Isan eating that stuff all the time (added to the food when cooking), but I have forbidden my wife to use it in any food she would cook for me.

 

Reminds me a few years back, traveling around Sakhon Nakhon, we stopped by a market in the country side. People were selling a sauce from a drum that contained easily 50 litres of it: it looked like <deleted> mixed with vomit, smelled like it and probably tasted like it. That was probably a local version of Pla Raa. For the life of me, I cannot understand how people can like that thing in their food!