Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Constipation
Question: Right now I am having a problem with constipation. I was fairly regular until last Thursday. Now all of a sudden nothing. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy should be done to make sure there is no colon cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Any stool patter change at the age over 50 should be checked with colonoscopy. Please note that over 50 the risk of colon cancer significantly rises. And as this cancer does not give any specific symptoms, any change in bowels habit can not be ignored.
I do not assume that you have a cancer. Not at all. I just want you to be 100% sure you dont have it and so you can focus on other reasons of constipation.
Most common reasons of constipation are bad diet (low fiber intake, fatty foods), medicines (hypertension medicines mostly), hypothyroidism, chronic bowels infection.
I suggest you to follow this steps:
- visit your doctor and get scheduled for colonoscopy and have thyroid tests done (TSH, FT3, FT4)
- start fiber supplementation and probiotic intake
- increase mineral water intake
- avoid fatty foods, soft drinks, sweets
- try some physical activity if possible (it stimulates bowels to move)
- if the diet wont help and the colonoscopy will be clear, stool test should be also done
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Colonoscopy should be done to make sure there is no colon cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Any stool patter change at the age over 50 should be checked with colonoscopy. Please note that over 50 the risk of colon cancer significantly rises. And as this cancer does not give any specific symptoms, any change in bowels habit can not be ignored.
I do not assume that you have a cancer. Not at all. I just want you to be 100% sure you dont have it and so you can focus on other reasons of constipation.
Most common reasons of constipation are bad diet (low fiber intake, fatty foods), medicines (hypertension medicines mostly), hypothyroidism, chronic bowels infection.
I suggest you to follow this steps:
- visit your doctor and get scheduled for colonoscopy and have thyroid tests done (TSH, FT3, FT4)
- start fiber supplementation and probiotic intake
- increase mineral water intake
- avoid fatty foods, soft drinks, sweets
- try some physical activity if possible (it stimulates bowels to move)
- if the diet wont help and the colonoscopy will be clear, stool test should be also done
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
