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I Have Not Had A Proper Bowel Movement In Two

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Posted on Mon, 24 Jun 2019
Question: I have not had a proper bowel movement in two weeks. I can pass gas. I take opioids for chronic pain. I have tried magnesium, stool softeners, fiber supplements, and suppositories. Should I go to the ER?
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Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Go to the ER

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.

I have gone carefully through the details. You should definitely go to the ER. They would be able to apply enema and get the accumulated stools out.

However, the entire presentation seems to sum up to one single cause i.e. slowing down of the bowel movements. Our bowels have a forward propulsive movement which moves the food forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally eliminated as feces. The key lies in regularization of the same. My suggestions would be to:
* Avoid long gaps between meals. Take small but frequent meals.
* Spicy food has to be avoided.
* It is very important to exercise regularly.
* High dietary fiber intake has to be ensured. Plenty of green leafy vegetables are to be taken. Fiber supplements like psyllium husk can also be taken along. This has to be taken daily at dinner irrespective of whether the problems are present.

Fiber rich food items include:
* Apples, pears, parsnip, berries, raspberries, kumquats, guavas, squash, oranges, passion fuit, avocado, blackberries, pomogranate, currants, persimmons, kiwi fruits, figs, bananas, blueberries, cherries, apricots, strawberries, tangerines, papaya, mangoes, pineapple, plums, litchi, grapes, watermelon
* Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprout, carrots, leafy vegetables and spinach, amaranth, artichokes, green peas, collard greens, XXXXXXX sweet potato, okra, fennel, eggplant/brinjal, sweetcorn, beets, turnip, asparagus, onions
* Legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas, celery, soybean, navy beans, cranberry beans, french beans
* Whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, millets and oats, squash and pumpkin seeds, seasame seeds, dried coconut, almonds,
* Mushrooms
* Flax seeds, chia seeds, corn XXXXXXX

Hopefully that would help.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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I Have Not Had A Proper Bowel Movement In Two

Brief Answer: Go to the ER Detailed Answer: Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service. I have gone carefully through the details. You should definitely go to the ER. They would be able to apply enema and get the accumulated stools out. However, the entire presentation seems to sum up to one single cause i.e. slowing down of the bowel movements. Our bowels have a forward propulsive movement which moves the food forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally eliminated as feces. The key lies in regularization of the same. My suggestions would be to: * Avoid long gaps between meals. Take small but frequent meals. * Spicy food has to be avoided. * It is very important to exercise regularly. * High dietary fiber intake has to be ensured. Plenty of green leafy vegetables are to be taken. Fiber supplements like psyllium husk can also be taken along. This has to be taken daily at dinner irrespective of whether the problems are present. Fiber rich food items include: * Apples, pears, parsnip, berries, raspberries, kumquats, guavas, squash, oranges, passion fuit, avocado, blackberries, pomogranate, currants, persimmons, kiwi fruits, figs, bananas, blueberries, cherries, apricots, strawberries, tangerines, papaya, mangoes, pineapple, plums, litchi, grapes, watermelon * Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprout, carrots, leafy vegetables and spinach, amaranth, artichokes, green peas, collard greens, XXXXXXX sweet potato, okra, fennel, eggplant/brinjal, sweetcorn, beets, turnip, asparagus, onions * Legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas, celery, soybean, navy beans, cranberry beans, french beans * Whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, millets and oats, squash and pumpkin seeds, seasame seeds, dried coconut, almonds, * Mushrooms * Flax seeds, chia seeds, corn XXXXXXX Hopefully that would help. Regards