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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Chronic Constipation And Subsequent Bowels With Shell Like Substance Indicate?

my mom had been constipated for 6 weeks and had not much to eat if anything during the day. She has finally had a normal bowel movement; though within a few days found a hard white shell substance in her stool. I thought it may have been some nuts she had eaten that may have been lodged in a pocket in her colon. She is feeling much better now but was concerned with such substance. She is 77 yrs. old. Do you think this could be what she had seen?
Tue, 1 Jul 2014
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Geriatrics Specialist 's  Response
Hi,
It is nothing to be worried about.
It is more possibly a mucus which has got hardened during constipation, which has come through. If it is like a stone, it could be a gall bladder calculi which has come out and moved into intestines and then to feces.
However, constipation for 6 weeks is serious. Hopefully she has normal bowel movement now.
Bowel movements are very important in elderly as it can impact their over all well being. Diet in the elderly should be rich in fruits and vegetables with low amount of fat.
Regular exercise in morning like walking, drinking good amount of water can be helpful in avoiding constipation.
Hope it helps.
Any further query, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
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What Could Chronic Constipation And Subsequent Bowels With Shell Like Substance Indicate?

Hi, It is nothing to be worried about. It is more possibly a mucus which has got hardened during constipation, which has come through. If it is like a stone, it could be a gall bladder calculi which has come out and moved into intestines and then to feces. However, constipation for 6 weeks is serious. Hopefully she has normal bowel movement now. Bowel movements are very important in elderly as it can impact their over all well being. Diet in the elderly should be rich in fruits and vegetables with low amount of fat. Regular exercise in morning like walking, drinking good amount of water can be helpful in avoiding constipation. Hope it helps. Any further query, happy to help again. Dr. Prakash HM