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Is Bisacodyl Intake Safe For Treatment Of Constipation?
Question: Hi Doctor. I've always have constipation problem since childhood. In the past 4.5 years, I resort to bisacodyl and was please with the regularity. Every time I stop using, the constipation returns. I read articles about bisacodyl-caused lazy bowel syndrome. I'm afraid I may have developed this syndrom. Can it be reversed after taken as directed (never overdose, but taken for about 4.5 year daily)? I stop taking the tablet in the past 3 days, and it's becoming very uncomfortable. My diet has been high in fiber, I exercise regularly in all these years. I'm afraid to continue with constipation and afraid to rely on bisacodyl.
Brief Answer:
Constipation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
You are taking a laxative namely "BISACODYL" , addicted to this tablet.
This drug , if used for prolong time ( as in your case ) patient addicted to this , but this addiction is psychological so need not to worry.
Let me explain in detail about CONSTIPATION but it is important , so please read carefully as this will help you in future.
In bowel-conscious persons , the amount of misinformation and undue apprehension about constipation probably exceeds that about any other health topic. However, many normal humans defecate only ONCE EVERY 2-3 DAYS , even though defecate once a day and some as often as THREE TIMES a day.Furthermore , the only symptoms caused by constipation are slight anorexia & mild abdominal discomfort and distension.
I mentioned symptoms produces by constipation , only ANOREXIA ( loss of appetite) , abdominal discomfort & distension.
Pathophyiologically , chronic constipation generally results from:
Inadequate fiber intake
From disordered colonic transit
Anorectal function as a neurogastroenterologic disturbance .
In idiopathic constipation a subset patients exhibit delaying emptying of the colon with prolongation of transit and a reduced frequency of progressive colonic contractions .
Outlet obstruction of defecation may cause delayed colonic transit .
Above mentioned reasons are not due to diseases but NORMAL and varies from person to person.
Measurements for constipation.
Reassurance i.e. you are not diseased but this constipation is a psychological problem .
Exercise of abdominal muscles and wait for defecation till intense desire develop .
Increase dietary fiber ( as you are doing)
Bulking agents ( e.g PSYLLIUM ).
Increase fluid intake .
Tepid water as far as possible .
Bisacodyl , now a days ( 3 days) not taking so need not to worry .
Do these measures and you will feel better.
All these above measures are scientific proven so keep this thing in mind that you are not a patient.
Hope this will help you.
Good luck.
Constipation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
You are taking a laxative namely "BISACODYL" , addicted to this tablet.
This drug , if used for prolong time ( as in your case ) patient addicted to this , but this addiction is psychological so need not to worry.
Let me explain in detail about CONSTIPATION but it is important , so please read carefully as this will help you in future.
In bowel-conscious persons , the amount of misinformation and undue apprehension about constipation probably exceeds that about any other health topic. However, many normal humans defecate only ONCE EVERY 2-3 DAYS , even though defecate once a day and some as often as THREE TIMES a day.Furthermore , the only symptoms caused by constipation are slight anorexia & mild abdominal discomfort and distension.
I mentioned symptoms produces by constipation , only ANOREXIA ( loss of appetite) , abdominal discomfort & distension.
Pathophyiologically , chronic constipation generally results from:
Inadequate fiber intake
From disordered colonic transit
Anorectal function as a neurogastroenterologic disturbance .
In idiopathic constipation a subset patients exhibit delaying emptying of the colon with prolongation of transit and a reduced frequency of progressive colonic contractions .
Outlet obstruction of defecation may cause delayed colonic transit .
Above mentioned reasons are not due to diseases but NORMAL and varies from person to person.
Measurements for constipation.
Reassurance i.e. you are not diseased but this constipation is a psychological problem .
Exercise of abdominal muscles and wait for defecation till intense desire develop .
Increase dietary fiber ( as you are doing)
Bulking agents ( e.g PSYLLIUM ).
Increase fluid intake .
Tepid water as far as possible .
Bisacodyl , now a days ( 3 days) not taking so need not to worry .
Do these measures and you will feel better.
All these above measures are scientific proven so keep this thing in mind that you are not a patient.
Hope this will help you.
Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you Dr. Bishnoi for your reply and recommendation. I have a few further questions that I'd like to seek your advice on.
You suggest that the use of Bisacodyl for prolong time (as in my case) is psychological addiction. Does this mean, I haven’t inflicted on myself permanent damage to my digestive system because of prolonged use of the drug?
You mentioned several reasons for pathophyiological chronic constipation, I believe I experienced many of them so often that the distension and abdominal discomfort are like everyday misery. I do “go” today without any use of Bisacodyl in the past 3 days (I guess this falls into normal human defecation of once every 3 days). However, I still have distension and did not feel "empty."
The problem is particularly worse before and during my period & during a business trip, and can persist for as many as 5 days to a week. My question is, in these cases, is it safe to resort to Bisacodyl occasionally (not daily), while maintaining high (natural, not processed) fiber diet, lots of water, and exercise as you recommended?
On a related question, how long should one allow “not going” to be alarmed of serious problem of acute or chronic constipation. What should one do if the problem becomes "serious."?
Thank you in advance for your professional opinion and recommendations for my questions.
You suggest that the use of Bisacodyl for prolong time (as in my case) is psychological addiction. Does this mean, I haven’t inflicted on myself permanent damage to my digestive system because of prolonged use of the drug?
You mentioned several reasons for pathophyiological chronic constipation, I believe I experienced many of them so often that the distension and abdominal discomfort are like everyday misery. I do “go” today without any use of Bisacodyl in the past 3 days (I guess this falls into normal human defecation of once every 3 days). However, I still have distension and did not feel "empty."
The problem is particularly worse before and during my period & during a business trip, and can persist for as many as 5 days to a week. My question is, in these cases, is it safe to resort to Bisacodyl occasionally (not daily), while maintaining high (natural, not processed) fiber diet, lots of water, and exercise as you recommended?
On a related question, how long should one allow “not going” to be alarmed of serious problem of acute or chronic constipation. What should one do if the problem becomes "serious."?
Thank you in advance for your professional opinion and recommendations for my questions.
Brief Answer:
CONSTIPATION
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Once again thanks for questions.
You didn't inflicted any damage to your digestive system with prolong use of bisacodyl .
Occasionally whenever you require , you can take bisacodyl without hesitation.
If there is acute constipation you can take glycerin ENEMA or soap water enema or plain tepid water enema and this is the best way for evacuation and harmless.
But in my opinion with these above mentioned measures(in previous reply) your BOWEL HABIT will be alright within a short period .
Good luck for you.
CONSTIPATION
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Once again thanks for questions.
You didn't inflicted any damage to your digestive system with prolong use of bisacodyl .
Occasionally whenever you require , you can take bisacodyl without hesitation.
If there is acute constipation you can take glycerin ENEMA or soap water enema or plain tepid water enema and this is the best way for evacuation and harmless.
But in my opinion with these above mentioned measures(in previous reply) your BOWEL HABIT will be alright within a short period .
Good luck for you.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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