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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Constipation. Was Drinking Soda Daily, Constipation Started After Stopping Soda. Suggestions?

For a few years i was drinking 6-10 cans of soda everyday. I just recently stopped about a week ago and soon afterwards I have been experiencing some of the worst constipation ever. I have been drinking a lot of water and trying to eat a lot of fiber foods like oatmeal/cheerios/wheat bread (havent gone to get apples yet) and nothing seems to help so i got laxatives. The first 2 days i took them they worked ok but i still had some of the worst pain even after using the restroom. On a scale of 1-10 it would say its an 8 and spikes up to a 10 easily. I just took them today again for the 3rd time and nothing happened. What can i do?
Wed, 24 Jul 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Your intestine became addictive to soda bi carb main ingredient of soda.
Need not to worry don't take tension as it will cause more constipation.
As stated in query use plenty plenty of fluid ( juice) with high fiber diet + salad.
Beside this take 1-2 tablets of phenolphathelein 300 mg ( according to necessity , you can increase or decrease the dose).
Slowly reduce the dose of tablets.
Hot water ( like tea) sipping helps in constipation.
Good luck.
Dr. HET
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General & Family Physician Dr. Polash Sannigrahi's  Response
Hello dear,

It is appreciable to know that you are maintaining adequate hydration status & taking fiber rich food to tackle the constipation.
Though symptomatic relief can be obtained by salt water flush or intake of Laxatives, their regular use is not advised.
And as long as the underlying cause is not treated, symptoms will keep recurring.

The causes of constipation can be:
1. Any pathology/ sub acute obstruction in the Gastrointestinal tract
2. Irritable bowel syndrome- constipation predominant type.
3. Functional cause- due to decreased gastric motility
4. Hormonal & Metabolic causes, etc.

So, kindly consult a Gastroenterologist & get a proper physical examination done.
Investigations like complete blood count, Ultrasound scan of abdomen, Colonoscopy & contrast studies will be helpful to rule out any pathological cause for your symptoms.

There is no need to worry, you will be fine.
Till then, maintain adequate hydration & proper nutrition status.

Wishing a good health.
Take care.
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Constipation. Was Drinking Soda Daily, Constipation Started After Stopping Soda. Suggestions?

Hello, Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum. Your intestine became addictive to soda bi carb main ingredient of soda. Need not to worry don t take tension as it will cause more constipation. As stated in query use plenty plenty of fluid ( juice) with high fiber diet + salad. Beside this take 1-2 tablets of phenolphathelein 300 mg ( according to necessity , you can increase or decrease the dose). Slowly reduce the dose of tablets. Hot water ( like tea) sipping helps in constipation. Good luck. Dr. HET