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Suggest Treatment For Constipation
Question: I have been to the Dr last Friday he told me I had constipation after looking at my abdominal xray. It is unusual for me I have ibs but normally with diarrhea. I have taken lactulose for 2 days I had some bowel movements with small amounts of matter but they are mostly water. I even drank a bottle of magnesium citrate. I had a clear colonoscopy 5 years ago but I am getting really scared. Don't understand why matter isn't coming out.
Brief Answer:
perhaps an enema will help
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
changed bowel habits are suspicious despite your history of IBS. If the situation insists I would recommend doing a colonoscopy, particularly if you have close relatives with intestinal tumors. When constipated the stool looses its water and becomes dry. Dry stool gets hard like a rock. If you've ever seen your stool come out as little 'balls' then you understand what I mean.
In such a situation defecation becomes very difficult. An enema might help though. Sometimes because of eating less fiber, drinking less water, postponing defecation (because of work or other reasons), etc, the patient may develop constipation. If it tends to happen all the time, then investigation is needed.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
perhaps an enema will help
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
changed bowel habits are suspicious despite your history of IBS. If the situation insists I would recommend doing a colonoscopy, particularly if you have close relatives with intestinal tumors. When constipated the stool looses its water and becomes dry. Dry stool gets hard like a rock. If you've ever seen your stool come out as little 'balls' then you understand what I mean.
In such a situation defecation becomes very difficult. An enema might help though. Sometimes because of eating less fiber, drinking less water, postponing defecation (because of work or other reasons), etc, the patient may develop constipation. If it tends to happen all the time, then investigation is needed.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
could I have colon cancer even though I had a clear colonoscopy 5 years ago
Brief Answer:
5 years ago is a long time
Detailed Answer:
I don't believe that you have colon cancer. Other causes are more probable but cancer cannot be excluded. 5 years is a lot of time and whenever suspicion is raised the colonoscopy should be repeated.
Your constipation could be related to your IBS or to other factors (I've mentioned a few in my previous answer).
Kind Regards!
5 years ago is a long time
Detailed Answer:
I don't believe that you have colon cancer. Other causes are more probable but cancer cannot be excluded. 5 years is a lot of time and whenever suspicion is raised the colonoscopy should be repeated.
Your constipation could be related to your IBS or to other factors (I've mentioned a few in my previous answer).
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks for your response the reason I asked about the colonoscopy was the gastro dr said I didn't need one for 5 years because he didn't find anything not a polyp nothing. I always had chronic diarrhea until this year so it's becoming quite troubling.
Brief Answer:
I believe you should do it, it the problem persists
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
If you had no symptoms then I would agree with the 5 year period. Constipation of new onset is a reason to repeat the colonoscopy, after you give it some time to see how it goes. Sometimes constipation may ensue because of psychological stress or because you couldn't go to the toilet when you wanted or because you ate less fiber than usually, etc
If this is the case then correcting the inciting factor should result make things return to normal. If it doesn't, then further testing would be required.
Kind Regards!
I believe you should do it, it the problem persists
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
If you had no symptoms then I would agree with the 5 year period. Constipation of new onset is a reason to repeat the colonoscopy, after you give it some time to see how it goes. Sometimes constipation may ensue because of psychological stress or because you couldn't go to the toilet when you wanted or because you ate less fiber than usually, etc
If this is the case then correcting the inciting factor should result make things return to normal. If it doesn't, then further testing would be required.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had severe psychological stress due to having cervical dysplasia and had to undergo a leep procedure. it really messed me up mentally due to being the first thing I ever had really bad wrong with me. the entire process nearly caused me to have a breakdown I couldn't eat sleep and lived in total fear for over a month. that is when this all started. now I'm in fear again worried I got colon cancer. thanks for answering my questions
Brief Answer:
this explains it all
Detailed Answer:
Constipation was most likely the result of the psychological stress that you had. The risk for cancer is not high. You should only worry if this situation becomes permanent even after the stress is gone.
I hope I was reassuring enough!
Best wishes!
this explains it all
Detailed Answer:
Constipation was most likely the result of the psychological stress that you had. The risk for cancer is not high. You should only worry if this situation becomes permanent even after the stress is gone.
I hope I was reassuring enough!
Best wishes!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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