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What Causes Diarrhea Followed By Severe Constipation?
Question: Had food poisoning 4 weeks ago...diarrhea followed by violent episode of vomiting followed by diarrhea....since that time I am experiencing severe constipation (4 weeks). I have had a normal bowel movement without using a laxative? I wait 5-7 days and no bowle movement so use laxative.I have not had a bowel movement for the past 4 weeks without the use of a laxative.
Brief Answer:
fluids, fiber and activity,, reduce laxatives
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
After a bout of gastroenteritis (inflammation/infection of the gastrointestinal tract), it can sometimes take the bowel some time to recover though , in most cases, it does not normally take this length of time.
With a time lag of 5 to 7 days, you would said to have constipation , unfortunately the persistent use of laxatives can actually worsen constipation because they stop the bowel from working on its own.
You may want to consider the following: (1) fiber including the use of a fiber supplement such as benefiber, cetrucil, metamucil (sugar free brand). It can be difficult to get enough fiber from food alone, this is the reason that fiber supplements are used to augment dietary fiber in constipation
Even with the fiber supplement, you should use fiber at each main meal and with each snack if you snack in between main meals.
This would be fruit , vegetables, flax seeds, oats, legumes, XXXXXXX Prunes would be particularly helpful.
(2)fluids - at least 8 or more a day. This does not include alcohol or any caffeine products such as coffee or coke because these have a diuretic effect and cause the body to lose fluids
(3)as much activity as possible
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
fluids, fiber and activity,, reduce laxatives
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
After a bout of gastroenteritis (inflammation/infection of the gastrointestinal tract), it can sometimes take the bowel some time to recover though , in most cases, it does not normally take this length of time.
With a time lag of 5 to 7 days, you would said to have constipation , unfortunately the persistent use of laxatives can actually worsen constipation because they stop the bowel from working on its own.
You may want to consider the following: (1) fiber including the use of a fiber supplement such as benefiber, cetrucil, metamucil (sugar free brand). It can be difficult to get enough fiber from food alone, this is the reason that fiber supplements are used to augment dietary fiber in constipation
Even with the fiber supplement, you should use fiber at each main meal and with each snack if you snack in between main meals.
This would be fruit , vegetables, flax seeds, oats, legumes, XXXXXXX Prunes would be particularly helpful.
(2)fluids - at least 8 or more a day. This does not include alcohol or any caffeine products such as coffee or coke because these have a diuretic effect and cause the body to lose fluids
(3)as much activity as possible
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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