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Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation In A Diabetic

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Posted on Fri, 17 Feb 2017
Question: I am 69 type two diabetic well under control. I have always been regular until the last year, bowel movements are still daily but more difficult and frequently less volume. I have used Benefiber successfully for the last few months but that effect seems to be diminishing. What are my options?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
dried fruits, prunes, changes fiber supplement, a lot of fluid

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Increasing fiber is the correct and appropriate response to your constipation. If you are currently using the benefiber at its maximum dose three times a day, then you may need to an alternative fiber supplement eg cetrucil or metamucil to see if you get a different response.

The fruit and vegetables should be continued and should be used with each main meal and snack, this means 5 times a day. Consider the use of fruits such as prunes which are known to help with constipation because it contains sorbitol.
There are other dried fruits that can help as well but you would have to monitor your sugar level eg dates, raisins

Make sure to use at least 8 glasses of fluid daily , not including caffeine or alcohol drinks because caffeine and alcohol cause the body to lose fluids since they have a diuretic effect.


I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation In A Diabetic

Brief Answer: dried fruits, prunes, changes fiber supplement, a lot of fluid Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Increasing fiber is the correct and appropriate response to your constipation. If you are currently using the benefiber at its maximum dose three times a day, then you may need to an alternative fiber supplement eg cetrucil or metamucil to see if you get a different response. The fruit and vegetables should be continued and should be used with each main meal and snack, this means 5 times a day. Consider the use of fruits such as prunes which are known to help with constipation because it contains sorbitol. There are other dried fruits that can help as well but you would have to monitor your sugar level eg dates, raisins Make sure to use at least 8 glasses of fluid daily , not including caffeine or alcohol drinks because caffeine and alcohol cause the body to lose fluids since they have a diuretic effect. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions