Korean Job Discussion Forums

[heavenhelpme]

Hey, this is certainly embarrassing but I've been having trouble with doing my business since Sunday. Natural remedies have all been exhausted to no avail. Anyone know what Korean constipation medicine is called and how effective it is? I'm going to pick some up at the pharmacy today and want to know if any brands or types are better than others and any risks I should look out for.
thanks!

[Yaya]

Dulcolax is sold widely in Korea.

[heavenhelpme]

thanks, is it sold at convenience stores like GS25 or do I have to go to bigger places like emart or pharmacies?

[crisdean]

just go to a local pharmacy and tell them you can't poop, they're not going to judge you, and even if they do who cares. Get over the embarrassment, it could be a hell of a lot worse. If they don't understand you, I believe the Korean phrase for laxative is 완하제 (wanhaje). Or you could probably order an enema kit off of G-market.

[methdxman]

go to jamba juice like 5 days in a row. should be good afterwards.

[The Floating World]

Kimchi chiggae.

[nathanrutledge]

Interesting note -

Talking about constipation is a very common thing here. I did a lesson on going to the doctor and told my gf about it. She said I should tell the students that in ENGLISH we don't talk about being constipated with anyone outside of a doctor. So I checked. I asked the students if they talk about being constipated with their friends. They ALL said "Yeah, sure, why not?"

The word is 변비 and there are TONS of remedies for it. Koreans seem to think that if you go a day without dropping a deuce, then you're stopped up and going to die...

Anyway, go to the pharmacy and just tell them "변비예요" (byeon-bi ye-yo) and they'll hook you up - no muss no fuss (well, maybe SOME muss...).

[Captain Corea]

Korean dairy products

[some waygug-in]

Vitamin C, if you take enough of it. 2 or 3 of those little bottles of vitamin C drink would usually get me going.

Apple juice works wonders as well.

Depends on your system though.

[ajuma]

What nathan said! Constipation and hemorrhoids are common problems that are freely talked about here. No need to feel embarrassed.

Prune juice or prunes every day will do you good!

[toby99]

Echoing that there's no need to be embarrassed about that over here. Just go to a pharmacy and make the universal "squatting" motion with a straining look on your face, or do the same in front of your coteacher. My first week here, my hot little 24yo k-coteacher ran to the crapper in the middle of a lesson. I asked her where the heck she went, and she said, "grace teacher have severe diaharrea." Welcome to the land of the not-always morning calm. Eating only kimchi with soju/Cass for 2-3 days straight should also clean out the pipes real nice.

[Harpeau]

Here are a couple of ideas that you might find helpful.

First thing in the morning, drink a tall glass of water with lemon juice.
Eat high fiber oatmeal and lots of prunes.
Chew your food until it is like a liquid.
While eating, don't talk about anything stressful.
Don't drink anything while eating.
Try to relax for 30 min. after eating.
Wait two hours after eating before you drink anything.
After that time, drink lots of water.
Get a colonic cleanse.

Just a few things that you might want to consider doing. Best of luck to you.

[Mr Crowley]

Digit cookies

[fortysixyou]

I agree constipation isn't a taboo topic here. Pooping in general, or anything having to do with it, is openly discussed with friends and family.

I certainly don't get enough fiber, but I'm regular. How? I drink a liter of black coffee every morning. The subsequent movement can be epic, and cleans my system out thoroughly.

[pkang0202]

I've heard Korean constipation medicine is pretty painful. My cousin made me pickup some US constipation meds (Milk of Magnesia) because he said the Korean ones make his abdomen hurt too much.