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Suggest Treatment For Fluctuations Between Diarrhea And Constipation

Posted on Mon, 11 Jan 2016

Question: good evening,
for the past few days I've been suffering fro
m bowel movement pain and bleeding. I const
antly battle either diarrhea and constipation. Even with a regular and balanced diet I still can't get rid of these symptoms. They'll go away for a little bit and just come back a week or two later. I've had an Upper GI and sigmoidoscopy done in the past and have revealed. I . could his be something I should worry about?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, something to wory about.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/*35 years - constantly battle between diarrhea and constipation in spite of regular and balanced diet - Upper GI and sigmoidoscopy done (reports please) - now for the past few days bowel movement pain and bleeding - wants to know whether this is something to worry about.

Please give a few more details:
- Since when are you having problem of alternating diarrhea and constipation?
- Since when have you pain and bleeding during passing motion?
- Is the blood attached to the stool or falls after passing stool?
- Any pain during or after passing stool?

This information will help me further.
Yes this is the condition to be worried about and you have to go for the tests of the blood, urine and stool. Most important would to undergo complete Colonoscopy after a good preparation and ultrasonography of the abdomen to start with and further tests if required.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (9 hours later)

usually the constipation is more prevalent than the diarrhea but have had them for a number of years now and doctors have told me that it's due to anxiety.

Now when passing stools it all depends, sometimes they come out normal , other times there's bleeding involves and no pain and then there's painful bowel movements with blood. Blood is mostly on the toilet tissue but on occasion you see bits of fresh blood on the stool.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
IBS only if all the tests are normal.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Constipation alternating due to anxiety means going in favor of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). For us to say it to be IBS all the relevant tests should be normal (negative).
If any of the tests is positive, then it falls under the specific cause category and treating it properly may give you cure.

The blood is mostly on the toilet tissue paper, bu occasionally see on the stool indicates a local cause like piles if painless or fissure if it is with pain or can have both together.
Please get all the tests done and let me know the reports.

I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (24 hours later)

it's quite painful during bowel movements,but have been using sitz baths and over the counter pile cream and seem to have subsided the pain. haven't had a bowel movement since then. I'm currently out of my country and would have to wait til I return to get tests done. Apart from what I'm doing what else do you recommend I use to either help with the pain or prevent flare ups. thanks

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mild liquid laxative to be taken at bed-time.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Nice to know that Sitz bath and OTC pile cream are helping, the pain appears to be subsided. But no bowel movements since then.
Get the tests done after you return to your home-country.
I would recommend to visit a Pharmacy and get a mild laxative in liquid form, which you have to take at bed-time and wherein you can adjust the dosages as per the need of hardness of the stool.
I hope this answer helps you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (10 minutes later)

thank you for your response Doctor. So by your assessment this is basically painful piles based that the OTC cream and sitz are working? I've read about Senna tea and was going to ask you if that works as a laxative or any other natural laxative you may think might work.

I won't be back till after the new year, do you think this requires immediate medical attention?

I appreciate your feedback

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Isabgol husk is natural.

Detailed Answer:
Sitz bath and OTC cream will work in both the conditions hence it is not possible to say.
Not heard of senna tea as we have never used or heard its effects.
Isabgol husk is a natural bulk forming laxative and dose can be adjusted as per your requirement.
Medical attention: earlier the better.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (11 hours later)

Hello Dr, Today I had a normal bowel without the need for laxatives. Still there is a little bit of pain and small amounts of bleeding but way more manageable than it was when I contacted you initially. I have attached a picture that shows that there's a little bit of blood on the stool but it looks normal. I will still get checked but for now seems like symptoms are getting better. I will still get a stool softener just so I don't get flare ups anymore. Let me know what you think

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, we both are on the right tract.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback and the clear picture.
Nice to know your progress. Having a laxative in a small dose like 1 teaspoonful of Isapgol husk in a glass of warm water at bed-time will help you further. Take one more glass of water after the first.
If you avoid all the foods and beverages that cause you constipation and having Isapgol daily at bedtime to keep the stool soft the condition may heal completely.

Yes, here we match each others thinking perfectly.
So carry on.
Get well soon and permanently.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

thank you Dr for your attention

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome!

...
You may please rate this answer before closure of the discussion and can certainly contact me on the bellow link in future, whenever you may need me.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (18 minutes later)

definitely will, you took most of my worries away.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have a great health

Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
Wishing you all the best.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar