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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Constipation

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Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015
Question: my husband is unable to have a bowel movement without having a daily enema
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I will recommend fruits, vegetables and fibers now!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about these difficulties getting a bowel movement. I will like to know whether he has abdominal pains or the urge to go and stool but presents with difficulties doing so. The truth is that there are persons who do not have daily bowel movements but rather every 3-4days and that is normal. It only becomes a problem if the urge is not completed because of very strong stools.

My plan would be to stop enemas for now. Let him eat enough fruits and vegetables and fibers and see when he would go for stools spontaneously. If it happens not daily but he has no worrisome symptoms there is no need to stick to daily enemas. Also, regular exercise and increased fluids intake are musts!

Try this plan. Talk to me in 72hours and we would move on from there. I wish him well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 minutes later)
He does eat lots of fiber daily, my worry is what he is doing could cause long term usage of daily enemas will stop the mussels in his bowels to stop working, this has been going on with him for years. He goes into major panic attacks when he cant have a bowel movement it has become a obsession with him. As I mentioned I am worried about the long term damage.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please, stop the daily enemas!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

stop the daily enemas. It is unhealthy and could make him totally dependent o that as you rightly mentioned. I am even concerned that is what has happened already. The system has been conditioned by daily enemas and not the other way round.

Talk to him. Tell him it is okay not to stool daily and there is no reason to freak out about it. breaking into anxiety simply makes a problem to become two and not a solution.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. I hope he really understands and start letting his system to take control and not imposing a rhythm on the system. Stop enemas, keep up with the diets!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Constipation

Brief Answer: I will recommend fruits, vegetables and fibers now! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about these difficulties getting a bowel movement. I will like to know whether he has abdominal pains or the urge to go and stool but presents with difficulties doing so. The truth is that there are persons who do not have daily bowel movements but rather every 3-4days and that is normal. It only becomes a problem if the urge is not completed because of very strong stools. My plan would be to stop enemas for now. Let him eat enough fruits and vegetables and fibers and see when he would go for stools spontaneously. If it happens not daily but he has no worrisome symptoms there is no need to stick to daily enemas. Also, regular exercise and increased fluids intake are musts! Try this plan. Talk to me in 72hours and we would move on from there. I wish him well.