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How Can Chronic Constipation Be Treated?

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Posted on Fri, 16 Jun 2017
Question: I have been diagnosed with slow colon transit as I have suffering from chronic Constipation for last 15 years , tried all laxatives like duphalac syp, Dulcolax tab,VSL#3,Movicol etc. Now nothing seems to work despite life style changes.
Please help.

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kini (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Final options- interferential electrical stimulation therapy and surgery

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear. Slow colon transit is a neuro-muscular problem. There is no permanent cure for slow transit constipation.

Treatment options may include:

1. medication to improve bowel motility like benzamide, cisapride, domperidone, metoclopromide etc

2. Laxatives like dulcolax suppositories, crimaffin syrup etc (You might have already tried it. Make it a routine to use it. No harm. It has very minimal side effect)

3. Lifestyle modifications include eating fibre rich food- peas, lentils, broccoli, raspberries. Eat lot of bananas and drink lots of water.

4. regular enemas can be taken to flush the rectum of faeces, whenever there is absolute constipation

5. interferential electrical stimulation therapy (used in what is known as the TIC TOC treatment trial). The treatment is painless and often increases the bowel motility, improves bowel emptying and reduces the need for medication, washouts or surgery.

If there is no relief by all these measures then surgery is the only option.

1. A colostomy is formed, where the bowel is re-routed through an artificial hole in the abdominal wall, and a colostomy bag is fitted. Sometimes, a temporary colostomy is performed.

2. The appendix may be brought to the surface to create a tiny stoma (opening). This can be done using a laparoscope (telescopic surgery). Enemas can be given regularly directly into the stoma or appendix.

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini     

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kini (19 hours later)
Dear Sir

Can Magnesium supplement benefit me as suggested by one dietitian friend of me.
Can Pegred powder is safe to consume for 2-3 months.
Is there some safe medication which can be regularly taken for bowel evacuation or remedy to restore bowel movement.

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kini (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Magnesium does help. Pegred powder can be taken for 2-3 months

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear. Magnesium suppliments do help. You can often treat occasional constipation with over-the-counter medications or supplements, such as magnesium citrate. This supplement is an osmotic laxative, which means it relaxes your bowels and pulls water into your intestines. The water helps soften and bulk up your stool, which makes it easier to pass.

Pegred powder can be taken for 2-3 months. The most commonly reported side-effects of Pegred Powder are gas, feeling of sickness, bloating, cramping, flatulence, and abdominal bloating. But do not take it if you have complete blockage of stools (absolute constipation) for more than 3 days.

Other drugs which may help you are as follows

1. lnaclotide (Linzess) . This drug is a capsule taken once daily on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before the first meal of the day. Linzess helps relieve constipation by helping bowel movements occur more often.

2. Lactulose (Cephula, Chronulac, Constulose, Duphalac, Enulose). Lactulose, a prescription laxative with a variety of brand names, draws water into the bowel to soften and loosen the stool.

3. Lubiprostone (Amitiza). Amitiza softens the stool by increasing its water content, so the stool can pass easily. This medication is taken twice daily with food.

4. Plecanatide (Trulance). Taken once a day, this tablet is a guanylate cyclase-C agonist. It helps stimulate intestinal fluid secretions that helps your stool transit through the bowel. It was developed specifically for those suffering from Chronic Idiopathic Constipation.


Some lifestyle tips which i suggest below can help you

1. Go to the bathroom at the same time each morning. Make this your morning "habit," as colonic motor activity is highest at this time.

2. Don't ignore the urge to go. Peristalsis of the bowel -- the movements that trigger a bowel movement -- come and go. If you ignore this urge, you may lose the opportunity.

3. Go to the bathroom after meals. The urge to defecate increases after mealtime, so take advantage of your body's signals.

4. Try to chill. Stress can interfere with relaxation of the whole body, including the bowels. It's important to use some type of relaxation technique like meditation, guided imagery, or yoga daily.


5. Drink at least 8 cups of water daily. This helps keep your GI tract healthy.

6. Add wheat XXXXXXX to your diet. Wheat XXXXXXX adds bulk to the stool and helps speed the rate of movement through the gut.

7. Aim for at least 4 ½ cups of fiber-filled fruits and vegetables each day, including apples, oranges, broccoli, berries, pears, figs, carrots, and beans.

8. Exercise daily. Being physically active also helps the GI tract function optimally.

Hope i have answered your question. Is there anything else you would like to know? Feel free to consult. With Regards- Dr Sanjay Kini
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sanjay Kini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 1354 Questions

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How Can Chronic Constipation Be Treated?

Brief Answer: Final options- interferential electrical stimulation therapy and surgery Detailed Answer: Hello Dear. Slow colon transit is a neuro-muscular problem. There is no permanent cure for slow transit constipation. Treatment options may include: 1. medication to improve bowel motility like benzamide, cisapride, domperidone, metoclopromide etc 2. Laxatives like dulcolax suppositories, crimaffin syrup etc (You might have already tried it. Make it a routine to use it. No harm. It has very minimal side effect) 3. Lifestyle modifications include eating fibre rich food- peas, lentils, broccoli, raspberries. Eat lot of bananas and drink lots of water. 4. regular enemas can be taken to flush the rectum of faeces, whenever there is absolute constipation 5. interferential electrical stimulation therapy (used in what is known as the TIC TOC treatment trial). The treatment is painless and often increases the bowel motility, improves bowel emptying and reduces the need for medication, washouts or surgery. If there is no relief by all these measures then surgery is the only option. 1. A colostomy is formed, where the bowel is re-routed through an artificial hole in the abdominal wall, and a colostomy bag is fitted. Sometimes, a temporary colostomy is performed. 2. The appendix may be brought to the surface to create a tiny stoma (opening). This can be done using a laparoscope (telescopic surgery). Enemas can be given regularly directly into the stoma or appendix. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini