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What Causes Severe Constipation, Stomach Pain And Haemorrhoid?
Question: Hi. For the month of January, I was on a detox using senna leaf for 14 days (28 days, taking the tea, with 1,025mg of senna leaf in it, every second day). I have now been off of the detox for 14 days and have had severe constipation. It got so bad my stomach would just hurt and ache, so I purchased a laxative called Senokot. I only took this 2 times (30 mL in total) in the last 4 days. I have been eating fibre, doing daily exercise and drinking a ton of water. I believe I now have a small haemorrhoid as well. I am just not sure what to do at this point. Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Welcome to HCM. We need to get you regular!
Detailed Answer:
This can be, unfortunately, the gut's reaction to using detox methods. Senna can be pretty rough on the intestines and you have seemingly grown dependent on it.
When you went out and purchased Senokot, it was adding more Senna, which contributed to this problem. We need to get you regular and you are doing many of the right things, so try not to get discouraged and let us try to tweek your program.
Continue to drink plenty of fresh water without caffeine, 10 ( 8ounce) glasses per day.
If you have not been eating fiber, which it sounds as is if you haven't until recently, putting yourself back on a high fiber diet right away will only worsen the constipation problem which is more than likely the source of your hemorrhoids.
Gradually introduce fiber increasing slowly every day and starting with what I call "soluble" fiber such as oat fiber (oatmeal, oat cereal); fresh fruit (not juice).
Eat prunes or drink prune juice; drink polyethylene glycol (17 gd) until the constipation cycle stops; get yourself on a schedule; normalize your eating and exercise program and gradually wean yourself off the polyethylene glycol (if you chose that option), quit the prune juice and hopefully problem is resolved.
Please feel free to write me back if I have not addressed all of your concerns. I will try to clarify and help further. I wish you luck and please close and rate the question if I have answered your query or come back if you need more clarification. Respectfully, XXXXXXX J. Shattler, MS,RDN
Welcome to HCM. We need to get you regular!
Detailed Answer:
This can be, unfortunately, the gut's reaction to using detox methods. Senna can be pretty rough on the intestines and you have seemingly grown dependent on it.
When you went out and purchased Senokot, it was adding more Senna, which contributed to this problem. We need to get you regular and you are doing many of the right things, so try not to get discouraged and let us try to tweek your program.
Continue to drink plenty of fresh water without caffeine, 10 ( 8ounce) glasses per day.
If you have not been eating fiber, which it sounds as is if you haven't until recently, putting yourself back on a high fiber diet right away will only worsen the constipation problem which is more than likely the source of your hemorrhoids.
Gradually introduce fiber increasing slowly every day and starting with what I call "soluble" fiber such as oat fiber (oatmeal, oat cereal); fresh fruit (not juice).
Eat prunes or drink prune juice; drink polyethylene glycol (17 gd) until the constipation cycle stops; get yourself on a schedule; normalize your eating and exercise program and gradually wean yourself off the polyethylene glycol (if you chose that option), quit the prune juice and hopefully problem is resolved.
Please feel free to write me back if I have not addressed all of your concerns. I will try to clarify and help further. I wish you luck and please close and rate the question if I have answered your query or come back if you need more clarification. Respectfully, XXXXXXX J. Shattler, MS,RDN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Thank you so much for your help! Can I take Metamucil instead of polyethylene glycol?
Brief Answer:
Hello - Happy to hear I have helped
Detailed Answer:
Good morning!
I was prepared for a desperate cry of help. Are things working alright at the moment? If you ever need to "unclog" yourself after a few unhealthy, not so normal days of constipation, I really have found that magnesium citrate, its a liquid drink, that works almost instantaneously for most of my patients. Not for regular use, however.
There are options yes. We are discouraged from mentioning brand names, but the one you mentioned has soluble fiber in it and should work. Remember, gradual, slow, lots of water.
I am always here if you need some nutritional help. Good luck and please think twice before you engage in another fast. Don't forget to close and rate this query if I have answered your question and come back anytime!Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
Hello - Happy to hear I have helped
Detailed Answer:
Good morning!
I was prepared for a desperate cry of help. Are things working alright at the moment? If you ever need to "unclog" yourself after a few unhealthy, not so normal days of constipation, I really have found that magnesium citrate, its a liquid drink, that works almost instantaneously for most of my patients. Not for regular use, however.
There are options yes. We are discouraged from mentioning brand names, but the one you mentioned has soluble fiber in it and should work. Remember, gradual, slow, lots of water.
I am always here if you need some nutritional help. Good luck and please think twice before you engage in another fast. Don't forget to close and rate this query if I have answered your question and come back anytime!Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
No things are not working at the moment :( I will do everything suggested above. I appreciate your help and hope all will get moving in the next couple days!
Brief Answer:
It is important to get things going if it has been more than 3 days
Detailed Answer:
I must express some conscern as you need to have that first bowel movement to start pushing fiber and to try to regulate you.
Please consider taking steps to "unblock" that intestinal track. If you were my patient,I would offer you two considerations: 1) Call your doctor and report the number of days you have gone without a bowel movement and seek his advice. You do not want to end up with an "impaction" 2) Like I said, the other option is to obtain a bottle of magnesium citrate and drink it to finally have a bowel movement. Then you start your gradual introduction of fiber, lots of fluids, fruit (no skin), vegetables(no skin, well cooked), light protein sources (nothing heavy like beef, stick to soft chicken breast, white meat, avoid fatty foods). Metamucil is a soluble fiber, add it slowly and I would be cautious until you had your first good bowel movement.
You did not mention if this is a chronic problem or a new problem developing after the fast and the senna leaves. A chronic problem should definitely be evaluated by a gastrointestinal specialist. So, I would call one today if that is what we are dealing with - exacerbation of a chronic constipation problem.
Impactions, which are quite dangerous, are more common in those suffering from a chronic form of constipation.
Furthermore, while constipated, avoid iron supplements, calcium supplements and most hard pills that are optional and not prescribed. Avoid wheat XXXXXXX (insoluble fiber) skins of fruits (insoluble fiber). The source of this constipation needs to be identified.
Originally, according to the query, I was led to believe this was a secondary constipation. Let me ask you, have you had bouts of diarrhea and constipation in the past. If so, call the doctor. Have you had chronic constipation? Again, you should have a gastrointestinal evaluation. By just noticing this hemorrhoid, again I thought it was a temporary situation, but perhaps this needs further assessment. I am only concerned and want to give you the best possible advice.
Does this help at all? Do you feel you have direction? If so, no need to reply, just close and rate. Otherwise, I am still here if you want more information. XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN
Finally, if it has been 3-5 days without a bowel movement, at least call the doctor and get his ok to try the magnesium citrate, ask for further advice.
When you are in pain, lie on your left side and lightly massage your abdomen.
It is important to get things going if it has been more than 3 days
Detailed Answer:
I must express some conscern as you need to have that first bowel movement to start pushing fiber and to try to regulate you.
Please consider taking steps to "unblock" that intestinal track. If you were my patient,I would offer you two considerations: 1) Call your doctor and report the number of days you have gone without a bowel movement and seek his advice. You do not want to end up with an "impaction" 2) Like I said, the other option is to obtain a bottle of magnesium citrate and drink it to finally have a bowel movement. Then you start your gradual introduction of fiber, lots of fluids, fruit (no skin), vegetables(no skin, well cooked), light protein sources (nothing heavy like beef, stick to soft chicken breast, white meat, avoid fatty foods). Metamucil is a soluble fiber, add it slowly and I would be cautious until you had your first good bowel movement.
You did not mention if this is a chronic problem or a new problem developing after the fast and the senna leaves. A chronic problem should definitely be evaluated by a gastrointestinal specialist. So, I would call one today if that is what we are dealing with - exacerbation of a chronic constipation problem.
Impactions, which are quite dangerous, are more common in those suffering from a chronic form of constipation.
Furthermore, while constipated, avoid iron supplements, calcium supplements and most hard pills that are optional and not prescribed. Avoid wheat XXXXXXX (insoluble fiber) skins of fruits (insoluble fiber). The source of this constipation needs to be identified.
Originally, according to the query, I was led to believe this was a secondary constipation. Let me ask you, have you had bouts of diarrhea and constipation in the past. If so, call the doctor. Have you had chronic constipation? Again, you should have a gastrointestinal evaluation. By just noticing this hemorrhoid, again I thought it was a temporary situation, but perhaps this needs further assessment. I am only concerned and want to give you the best possible advice.
Does this help at all? Do you feel you have direction? If so, no need to reply, just close and rate. Otherwise, I am still here if you want more information. XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN
Finally, if it has been 3-5 days without a bowel movement, at least call the doctor and get his ok to try the magnesium citrate, ask for further advice.
When you are in pain, lie on your left side and lightly massage your abdomen.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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