HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Treatment For Irregular Bowel Movements

I am a 61 year old female, generally healthy and active. I may go for 3-4 days without a bm and then will have 4-7 in a morning. I don t have pain, bloating, diarrhea or other symptoms. This really is inconvenient at times!!! Are there other things that I can do other than increase water intake, increase fiber, take probiotics? Could this be IBS?
Tue, 16 Jan 2018
Report Abuse
General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
Constipation alternating with loose stool in an elderly female of 61 can be due to cancer of colon as this is one of the known suggestive symptoms. IBS that is irritable bowel syndrome can be another reason but this needs to be all normal relevant investigations.
Hence I would advise you the following ins such a situation:
Tests of stool, blood and urine.
CT scan of abdomen.
Colonoscopy and biopsy.
If all the investigations are normal then this can be taken as due to IBS and treated accordingly.
If there is cancer of colon, you need a referral for the cancer specialist and get treated as per the stage found.
If there are fecoliths causing such problems then you need a preliminary soap-water enema followed by stool softeners to suit you the most and dosages top be adjusted as per the need.
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Treatment For Irregular Bowel Movements

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history and understood the concerns. Constipation alternating with loose stool in an elderly female of 61 can be due to cancer of colon as this is one of the known suggestive symptoms. IBS that is irritable bowel syndrome can be another reason but this needs to be all normal relevant investigations. Hence I would advise you the following ins such a situation: Tests of stool, blood and urine. CT scan of abdomen. Colonoscopy and biopsy. If all the investigations are normal then this can be taken as due to IBS and treated accordingly. If there is cancer of colon, you need a referral for the cancer specialist and get treated as per the stage found. If there are fecoliths causing such problems then you need a preliminary soap-water enema followed by stool softeners to suit you the most and dosages top be adjusted as per the need.