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Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Bloating And Constipation
Question: I have a bloated stomach, a feeling of fullness and constipation if I don't take medication. Any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
If the constipation has been less than 3-5 days, you can continue to try laxatives, but you wrote that you don't take medication. I'm assuming you mean you don't want to try medication for this? An alternative is to drink prune juice which you can buy prepared or make your own by stewing several prunes in a little water. Works best if drunk before bedtime, but you can try it any time. It works both as a bowel stimulant and a laxative.
If it has been more than 5 days, an enema may be needed If longer than that, then go in to an urgent care clinic or your doctor who can do a digital disimpaction.
Would you like me to list some of the different stool softeners and bowel stimulants that you can try?
How many days have you been constipated?
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
If the constipation has been less than 3-5 days, you can continue to try laxatives, but you wrote that you don't take medication. I'm assuming you mean you don't want to try medication for this? An alternative is to drink prune juice which you can buy prepared or make your own by stewing several prunes in a little water. Works best if drunk before bedtime, but you can try it any time. It works both as a bowel stimulant and a laxative.
If it has been more than 5 days, an enema may be needed If longer than that, then go in to an urgent care clinic or your doctor who can do a digital disimpaction.
Would you like me to list some of the different stool softeners and bowel stimulants that you can try?
How many days have you been constipated?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
On and off for 2 weeks. I do take dulcolax. My main concern is the severe bloating. I'm 5'6" and normaly weigh around 120...weight up 8 lbs. I'm still working out everyday but its not very comfortable. I feel that once I eat my digestive system does nothing. Feels like the food just sits there. I even fasted for a day and it still felt the same. Help!
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
An increase of 8 lbs in 2 weeks is significant if you have not changed your diet.
There may be more than constipation causing this bloating and discomfort.
If you recently took an antibiotic, it may have altered your gut microbiome causing this dysfunction.
It's also possible that something you ate caused a similar disturbance.
Irritable bowel syndrome can cause this type of problem, but it sounds like this just came out of the blue.
If these symptoms have been going on 2 weeks and no prior history of chronic constipation, I recommend you go in to see your doctor (or to urgent care if you can't get in to see your doctor soon) who can do an exam in person. He/she may also want to get an X-ray or ultrasound to see if it will provide more information, such as if there is a partial obstruction.
In the meantime, avoid gas forming foods such as beans and some fruits, in particular, melons. You may want to avoid dairy and glutens too, until more information is known as to the cause of what the problem is.
There are medications that can help with gastrointestinal motility if that is the problem.
And another possibility is gastritis/duodenitis but that is lower on my list of possibilities because that usually doesn't cause constipation (although it can cause abdominal distention).
I'm sorry - this sounds very uncomfortable. But going in to be seen in person and where tests can be done is what is needed now.
Information
Detailed Answer:
An increase of 8 lbs in 2 weeks is significant if you have not changed your diet.
There may be more than constipation causing this bloating and discomfort.
If you recently took an antibiotic, it may have altered your gut microbiome causing this dysfunction.
It's also possible that something you ate caused a similar disturbance.
Irritable bowel syndrome can cause this type of problem, but it sounds like this just came out of the blue.
If these symptoms have been going on 2 weeks and no prior history of chronic constipation, I recommend you go in to see your doctor (or to urgent care if you can't get in to see your doctor soon) who can do an exam in person. He/she may also want to get an X-ray or ultrasound to see if it will provide more information, such as if there is a partial obstruction.
In the meantime, avoid gas forming foods such as beans and some fruits, in particular, melons. You may want to avoid dairy and glutens too, until more information is known as to the cause of what the problem is.
There are medications that can help with gastrointestinal motility if that is the problem.
And another possibility is gastritis/duodenitis but that is lower on my list of possibilities because that usually doesn't cause constipation (although it can cause abdominal distention).
I'm sorry - this sounds very uncomfortable. But going in to be seen in person and where tests can be done is what is needed now.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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