Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Passing Stools
Posted on
Wed, 7 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 7 Dec 2016
Answered on
Wed, 28 Dec 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : at I may have an obstruction of the small intestine. I have had progressively greater difficulty In passing stools even with the aid of laxatives and/or suppositories for the past several days. I am now feeling some pain upon palpating my abdomen and am somewhat nauseous. The abdomen is still soft.
PS - I am a 73 year old white male with Congestive Heart Disease, Diabetes, etc. Should I go to the emergency room or wait until tomorrow to see my family doctor?
Please note that I just had a successful (quite large, formed, soft) bowel movement. I think that may indicate that my situation is improving.
PS - I am a 73 year old white male with Congestive Heart Disease, Diabetes, etc. Should I go to the emergency room or wait until tomorrow to see my family doctor?
Please note that I just had a successful (quite large, formed, soft) bowel movement. I think that may indicate that my situation is improving.
Brief Answer:
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/73 - progressively greater difficulty in passing stools - even with the aid of laxatives and/or suppositories - for past several days - nauseous, tenderness - abdomen is still soft - also have congestive heart disease, diabetes - feels like an obstruction of small intestine - tried OTC laxatives like Dulcolax, Milk of Magnesia - Glycerin suppositories - wants to know whether to whether to go to ER or can wait until tomorrow to see Family Doctor....
Since there is difficulty in passing stool in spite of the medications you mentioned, it is better to visit ER as it will allow the following things:
Clinical evaluation and examination.
X-ray of the abdomen in standing position to see if there is any intestinal obstruction as will be evident by gas-fluid levels.
Further investigations of stool, urine, blood and CT scan of the abdomen if done will help to confirm or rule out any possibility so that an appropriate treatment can be started as early as possible.
Better not to wait.
I hope this answer helps you in decision making and getting an early proper diagnosis and proper management, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Please give feedback after all these as mentioned above.
Also post the reports again as the file is not opening
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/73 - progressively greater difficulty in passing stools - even with the aid of laxatives and/or suppositories - for past several days - nauseous, tenderness - abdomen is still soft - also have congestive heart disease, diabetes - feels like an obstruction of small intestine - tried OTC laxatives like Dulcolax, Milk of Magnesia - Glycerin suppositories - wants to know whether to whether to go to ER or can wait until tomorrow to see Family Doctor....
Since there is difficulty in passing stool in spite of the medications you mentioned, it is better to visit ER as it will allow the following things:
Clinical evaluation and examination.
X-ray of the abdomen in standing position to see if there is any intestinal obstruction as will be evident by gas-fluid levels.
Further investigations of stool, urine, blood and CT scan of the abdomen if done will help to confirm or rule out any possibility so that an appropriate treatment can be started as early as possible.
Better not to wait.
I hope this answer helps you in decision making and getting an early proper diagnosis and proper management, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Please give feedback after all these as mentioned above.
Also post the reports again as the file is not opening
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
