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What Are The Symptoms Of Colonic Inertia?

Posted on Mon, 15 Dec 2014

Question: What are the symptoms of colonic inertia? Why do I sometimes feel like I have to move my bowels but there is nothing there (nothing comes out with an enema).

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Tenesmus.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking Health care magic forum.

I have gone through your query.Your feeling to have a bowel movement with out actually one is called tenesmus.It can be due to colonic inertia or due to other causes like diverticulosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, haemorrhoid etc.If you constant have this symptom a colonoscopy should be carried out after consulting a gasteroenterologist to rule out any secondary causes.
Symptoms of colonic inertia are constipation,some times diarrhoea,abdominal pain and bloating,bloody discharge and some times nausea/vomiting.It is a motility disorder.For most of the patients changes in diet like avoiding dairy product and fatty foods,including high fibre diet and taking plenty of water helps.But those who fail to respond to this a surgical intervention is needed.
Hope this may help you.Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (45 minutes later)

I do have internal haemorrhoids. Also pelvic floor dysfunction, for which I am taking PT. I had a smart pill test but don't know the results yet. I had a normal colonoscophy but had a polyp. I take metamucil, miralax or magnesium, linzess. If I take magnesium, what strength should I take.

I don't have abdominal pain or bloating, bloody discharge or nausea/vomiting. But I do take a psych medication which may be slowing me down? (remeron and valium)

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Remeron and valium also has constipation as side effect.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for your follow up query.

Remeron and valium has constipation as side effect. Magnesium oxide Caplets (500 mg): 2 to 4 caplets orally daily with a full 8 ounce glass of liquid is the usual dosage we give. Miralax powder -stir and dissolve one packet of powder (17 g) in any 4 to 8 ounces of beverage (cold, hot or room temperature) then drink. But more than 7 days is usually not recommended.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (10 hours later)

The only thing that seems to work for a bowel movement is Linzess with a couple sips of prune juice. I asked my GI doctors over and over if prune juice was bad for me and they said no and to take whatever worked but my primary care doctor said it could be habit-forming. If it is, is there anyway to reverse that? And do you think I have colonic inertia if Linzess works but I can't seem to go on my own?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can take prune juice which is natural fibre rich.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for your follow up query.

Linzess is given for chronic constipation.It work by increasing chloride and water in intestine and stimulates bowel movement.You can use that if you tolerate it well.Some get purging diarrhea with that.In such case there will be loss of electrolyes.You can take prune juice also as it is a natural fibre.It is not habit forming.But if linzess works it doesn't mean that you have colonic inertia.Colonic inertia is diagnosed by transit time measurement test which determine the speed at which the body moves the food through the digestive system.
Hope this may help you.Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Can you please elaborate on your answer that I don't have colonic inertia if the linzess is working?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Linzess is working -doesn't mean having or not having colonic inertia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for your follow up.

Linzess is just a type of laxative,which may help in constipation related to any condition. If you felt better after the laxative, it doesn't mean you have colonic inertia. Linzess acts for most causes of constipation. It is just a symptomatic treatment.

Hope I am clear now. Let me know if anything not clear.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad