What Does My Colonoscopy Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 5 Sep 2017

Question: I am a 61 year old female that experience constipation often and generally has difficulty passing hard stools. Just had a colonoscopy so all clear, no polyps, no issues. Howevre yesterday while string g on the toilet I felt pain in my chest from straining. I feared a heart attack.. but slept thru the night ok. Felt a little sore in my chest this morning but not a pain. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow up with further details

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HCM

Regarding the chest pain, please provide some additional details so that I can give you a definite answer.

-Where exactly in the chest did you notice the pain and any radiation of pain?
-What was the quality of pain example: dull, stabbing, tightness, pricking or burning pain?
-Have you ever noticed this pain before?
-Do you have hypertension, diabetes or hypercholesterolemia?
-Family history of cardiac issues. If present, at what age?
-Does the pain increase with movement or breathing?

Regarding constipation here are few things you can try.

- drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid coffee
- diet rich in fiber like fruits, vegetables, oat meal, XXXXXXX
- diet rich in probiotics like yogurt
- avoid coffee
-Exercise regularly like walking for 30 minutes
-Avoid medications that trigger constipation like antihistamines, antidepressants, narcotic pain killers
- bulk forming laxative like psyllium
- stool softeners like Dulcolax

Since you had a normal colonoscopy, the life style changes is all that is needed.

Kindly follow up with the necessary details
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (17 hours later)

The pain only occurs while straining on the toilet. A sharp quick pain. I do not feel the at any other time. I am not diabetic but am very overweight .
My only family history is my Dad has a pacemaker foe electrical issues.. no heat condition per say.

I walked and shopped all day and did not experience any symptoms. Could I have strained a chest muscle?

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up answer

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

The likely cause for your chest pain is due to muscle strain/pulled muscle.
Straining, lifting heavy weight, sleeping position can all cause such muscle strain.
You can apply ice on the area of pain and take advil if needed.
I would also recommend that you try to maintain a healthy weight. Follow healthy diet rich in protein and fiber. Exercises regularly. Also,get your fasting lipid profile checked to assess the need for statin therapy.Throid function test is also recommended as decreased thyroid hormone levels can cause weight gain and constipation.
Follow the recommendations mentioned in above discussion to help relieve constipation.

Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad