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Suggest Treatment For Constipation Post A Menopause
Question: I am a 59 y/o female who has lived with constipation my whole life, but as I age it is causing me issues that make it hard to be comfortable in public situations and at work. SInce I went through menopause I seem to have more issues with flatuence and at times it can be embarrassing. When I can completely empty by bowels this is not a problem for me, but that does not happen often at all. I had a colonoscopy when I was 50 and they found a polyp and I had another colonoscopy 3 years later and was clean. Dr. said have another one in 10 years unless I have issues. Constipation is not a new issue and I have not seen any blood dark or red in my stools. I do keep a close eye on my stools. I have blood work done every year because I work at a hospital and my labs are checked by my local doctor and he said all is well. I drink 70 oz of water a day and eat a low carb diet but have 5-7 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. I do eat cheese and I drink diet coke daily (my only vice - no smoking, drinking, etc) I take Metoprolol 50 mg a day and Levothryoxine 50 mg. I also take a daily vitamin, krill oil, eye vitamin, and omeprozole (don't remember the dosage). I have a 5 day a week exercise program with strength training, cardio, and I run 10-15 miles a week. I hope that is good history to help you help me with my question. I am wanting to know the best probiotic over the counter to take or what should I do to help me have a good bowel movement at least every other day. Miralax does not work well for me. Right now I have bowel movements at least every other day but they are lumpy and hard. I have worked at changing my life habits to accomplish that. I use to have a BM q 3-5 days, but after menopause the flatuence issue has been a social issue for me and I have a job where I need to be in control of that. I have been reading up on probiotics and IBS-C and I get overwhelmed trying to decide what to do next. I look forward to hearing your advice.
Brief Answer:
Drastic lifestyle changes with medications are required.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I've gone through your details and I appreciate your concern.
As per your query answers are,
1) Any probiotic containing Saccharomyces boulardii is good for you, for example, Econorm can be taken three times a day another brand isVSL#3 formula. According to researchers and trials, the VSL#3 is the second best probiotic for patients having bowel problems.
Apart from that probiotic yogurt is also available you should take at least 3 small bottles a day with three meals( breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. Probiotics are "good" or "helpful" bacteria in our gut because which keep our gut healthy. Probiotics are naturally found in your body but in patients suffering from constipation and other disorders the natural gut flora is destroyed over time hence foods and supplements containing probiotics are to be used externally to replenish the activity of gut flora.
You are experiencing excessive flatulence. Please watch your fiber intake. Try to take a balanced fiber diet. Too much increase in fiber intake can cause excessive flatulence. As per your history, you are on a controlled diet and take 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Make sure that total fiber intake should not exceed 21 grams a day. Too much of anything is also not good. So fibers are good but again only to a limit. 2 serving of fruits and vegetable will provide you with more than enough fibers required daily.
Basically, you have to increase the amount of soluble fiber in your diet. Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion and adds a lot to the bulk of stool. This slows digestion. Soluble fiber is found in oat XXXXXXX barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, and peas. It is also found in psyllium, a common fiber supplement. So in case, your total soluble fiber intake is less you can take Metamucil or fybrogel 2tsf once daily before going to bed.It will help forming the bulk of the stool and will act as an osmotic laxative also.
Apart from that few other things you can do are-
1) Include prunes and dates in your diet
2) Drink a glass of lukewarm water daily half an hour before going to the washroom in morning.
3) Don't take banana for the time being. Grapes, Guavas, and Pears are best for you.
4) Try to take a little extra fat in breakfast this will increase your urge to defecate.
5) Avoid all dairy products except yogurt.
As Miralax is not helping you, Switch over to lactulose 15 to 30 ml of lactulose can be tried once to twice daily as per your requirement.
Beta blockers like metoprolol can cause constipation you can request your cardiologist to shift you on medicines like Losartan (AT 1 antagonist).
Don't go for repeat colonoscopy unless required. Colonoscopy involves the use of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution which depletes the naturally occurring gut flora.
Remain motivated and have a practical approach.There is no magical formula but these things can be helpful in long term.
I hope I answered your query, in case you need any other professional advice feel free to ask.
Regards.
Drastic lifestyle changes with medications are required.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I've gone through your details and I appreciate your concern.
As per your query answers are,
1) Any probiotic containing Saccharomyces boulardii is good for you, for example, Econorm can be taken three times a day another brand isVSL#3 formula. According to researchers and trials, the VSL#3 is the second best probiotic for patients having bowel problems.
Apart from that probiotic yogurt is also available you should take at least 3 small bottles a day with three meals( breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. Probiotics are "good" or "helpful" bacteria in our gut because which keep our gut healthy. Probiotics are naturally found in your body but in patients suffering from constipation and other disorders the natural gut flora is destroyed over time hence foods and supplements containing probiotics are to be used externally to replenish the activity of gut flora.
You are experiencing excessive flatulence. Please watch your fiber intake. Try to take a balanced fiber diet. Too much increase in fiber intake can cause excessive flatulence. As per your history, you are on a controlled diet and take 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Make sure that total fiber intake should not exceed 21 grams a day. Too much of anything is also not good. So fibers are good but again only to a limit. 2 serving of fruits and vegetable will provide you with more than enough fibers required daily.
Basically, you have to increase the amount of soluble fiber in your diet. Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion and adds a lot to the bulk of stool. This slows digestion. Soluble fiber is found in oat XXXXXXX barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, and peas. It is also found in psyllium, a common fiber supplement. So in case, your total soluble fiber intake is less you can take Metamucil or fybrogel 2tsf once daily before going to bed.It will help forming the bulk of the stool and will act as an osmotic laxative also.
Apart from that few other things you can do are-
1) Include prunes and dates in your diet
2) Drink a glass of lukewarm water daily half an hour before going to the washroom in morning.
3) Don't take banana for the time being. Grapes, Guavas, and Pears are best for you.
4) Try to take a little extra fat in breakfast this will increase your urge to defecate.
5) Avoid all dairy products except yogurt.
As Miralax is not helping you, Switch over to lactulose 15 to 30 ml of lactulose can be tried once to twice daily as per your requirement.
Beta blockers like metoprolol can cause constipation you can request your cardiologist to shift you on medicines like Losartan (AT 1 antagonist).
Don't go for repeat colonoscopy unless required. Colonoscopy involves the use of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution which depletes the naturally occurring gut flora.
Remain motivated and have a practical approach.There is no magical formula but these things can be helpful in long term.
I hope I answered your query, in case you need any other professional advice feel free to ask.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for your reply. I will definitely incorporate your suggestions into my daily regimen. I do have a redundant colon and when they did the colonoscopy they said I have some tight corners. Would the redundant colon make things worse? Also does my hypothyroidism play a role in this issue? I am currently taking Ultimate Flora 30 million, 10 strains. Just started it a couple of days ago and I think it is helping some with the flatuence, but I have good and bad days with that so not sure yet. Should I just switch it out for the VSL#3? I am confused when I read up on the Saccharomyces boulardii because it always talks about diarrhea and I have the opposite problem. I already drink warm water with freshly squeezed lemon and 1 tsp coconut oil in the mornings (forgot to tell you that). Today is my first day without cheese and I have been consuming lots of dairy products, so hopefully cutting those out will eventually help too. I will get the lactulose and start on it soon. I do eat greek yogurt daily (not as much as you had suggested). Again, I appreciate your help and wonderful advice.
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As per your query
Yes a redundant colon can increase rhe problem of constipation in some cases.
Hypothroidism increases the chances of constipation.However if on external hormone your thyroxine level is normal then it has no role.
So get your thyroid levels checked.
Consumption of lots of dairy was adding up to your problem.
As already explained by you probiotics are just good bacteria's which help to improve the internal enviroment of our intestines.
So you can take any good quality probiotic whether it is VSL or Econorm or any other.
Take home message-
Have a practical approach.
There is no magical formula.
All these things if followed properly will help in long terms.
Regards!
Follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As per your query
Yes a redundant colon can increase rhe problem of constipation in some cases.
Hypothroidism increases the chances of constipation.However if on external hormone your thyroxine level is normal then it has no role.
So get your thyroid levels checked.
Consumption of lots of dairy was adding up to your problem.
As already explained by you probiotics are just good bacteria's which help to improve the internal enviroment of our intestines.
So you can take any good quality probiotic whether it is VSL or Econorm or any other.
Take home message-
Have a practical approach.
There is no magical formula.
All these things if followed properly will help in long terms.
Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you so very much. I have already begun the lifestyle changes and my colon is responding well.
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
hello again,
welcome and get well soon.
Regards.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
hello again,
welcome and get well soon.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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