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Broken Ribs, Medication, Constipation, Walking, Food With Roughage, Probiotic, Paraffin
Question: My husband broke 4 ribs in an accident on Wednesday. He was treated at the emergency room. CAT scan indicated 4 broken ribs with no dislocation and no XXXXXXX damage. He was given pain medication and a device to monitor his XXXXXXX breaths. The problem he is experiencing now is constipation. We have tried prunes, juice, fiber and finally a couple of ducolax late this morning. He just recently passed a bit of very watery stool but nothing else. He feels the churning but when he tries to release the stool the pain seems to stop him. Can you suggest anything to help him or should be go to urgent care. We do not wish to bother them if this is something we can handle here at home. Thank you for your kind reply. He is 65 years old and in (was) in good health until the accident. I also failed to indicate that the EKG was good. He is on Crestor also.
Not a question, just to let you know his normal schedule is a daily bowl movement and he does use fiber supplement everyday.
Hi!
Your husband's constipation can occur because of following reasons:
(1) He may not have eaten his regular amount of diet because of injury.
(2) He may be immobile, which often causes constipation as there is lack of compression by abdominal wall muscles therefore less compression on intestines. This leads to less propulsive force on intestines because of which the food does not move forward.
(3) What comes to my mind as the most probable cause is side-effects of painkillers and antibiotics that he maybe taking. Normally not all people have such problems because of such medicines but it can happen.
Cramping in stomach and slightly watery stool is not a reason to worry, probably caused by the dulcolax.
As for the treatment part, you can do the following:
(1) If the doctor managing his rib fracture does not mind, ask him to walk around as much as possible. Early ambulation will help.
(2) Give plenty of water and food with roughage like XXXXXXX leafy vegetables, fruits, etc. Continue with the prunes.
(3) A Probiotic to restore the normal intestinal bacteria.
(5) 15 ml of Liquid Paraffin.
(6) If the above measures do not help, as a last resort bisacodyl suppository can be used.
Hope I have answered your query. I am available for follow up queries that you may have.
Your husband's constipation can occur because of following reasons:
(1) He may not have eaten his regular amount of diet because of injury.
(2) He may be immobile, which often causes constipation as there is lack of compression by abdominal wall muscles therefore less compression on intestines. This leads to less propulsive force on intestines because of which the food does not move forward.
(3) What comes to my mind as the most probable cause is side-effects of painkillers and antibiotics that he maybe taking. Normally not all people have such problems because of such medicines but it can happen.
Cramping in stomach and slightly watery stool is not a reason to worry, probably caused by the dulcolax.
As for the treatment part, you can do the following:
(1) If the doctor managing his rib fracture does not mind, ask him to walk around as much as possible. Early ambulation will help.
(2) Give plenty of water and food with roughage like XXXXXXX leafy vegetables, fruits, etc. Continue with the prunes.
(3) A Probiotic to restore the normal intestinal bacteria.
(5) 15 ml of Liquid Paraffin.
(6) If the above measures do not help, as a last resort bisacodyl suppository can be used.
Hope I have answered your query. I am available for follow up queries that you may have.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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