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Suggest Treatment For Constipation, Hard Stool, Indigestion And Nausea
Question: Hi, I am trying to find out what may be causing my continuing symptoms which come and go and include:
constipation, hard stools, indegestion, and nausea. I am a 56 year old female under doctor's care currently losing weight. I have lost 25 lbs recently and I weight 169. I visit the doctor weekly for vitamin B6 and B12 shots and take a phentermine pill in the morning. I drink 110 - 130 oz of water a day, sometimes more because I am also on a medication for bladder control which makes me thirsty and gives me dry mouth. My weight loss diet is high protein but I eat high fiber, low sugar vegetables and fruit with every meal and also take 5 fiber capsules daily. I am retired from regular work, but am now working a contract position from home which requires that I spend a lot of time on the computer. I've compensated by doing yoga and pilates several times a week plus I've taken up paddle boarding, but noone would actually say that I'm athletic. I'm at my wit's end because I am often so uncomfortable that it is becoming difficult to enjoy activities or to even leave the house. Any ideas?
constipation, hard stools, indegestion, and nausea. I am a 56 year old female under doctor's care currently losing weight. I have lost 25 lbs recently and I weight 169. I visit the doctor weekly for vitamin B6 and B12 shots and take a phentermine pill in the morning. I drink 110 - 130 oz of water a day, sometimes more because I am also on a medication for bladder control which makes me thirsty and gives me dry mouth. My weight loss diet is high protein but I eat high fiber, low sugar vegetables and fruit with every meal and also take 5 fiber capsules daily. I am retired from regular work, but am now working a contract position from home which requires that I spend a lot of time on the computer. I've compensated by doing yoga and pilates several times a week plus I've taken up paddle boarding, but noone would actually say that I'm athletic. I'm at my wit's end because I am often so uncomfortable that it is becoming difficult to enjoy activities or to even leave the house. Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Sluggish intestinal motility seems to be the cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered or slowed down, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. This is the likely cause of your problems.
Not much more can be done in order to relieve yourself. However, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper. This is very important.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep 20 mg tablet once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in).
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
Hope that helps.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Sluggish intestinal motility seems to be the cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered or slowed down, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. This is the likely cause of your problems.
Not much more can be done in order to relieve yourself. However, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper. This is very important.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep 20 mg tablet once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in).
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
Hope that helps.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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