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What Causes Nausea, Abdominal Bloating And Constipation In An Elderly Person?

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Posted on Sat, 19 Aug 2017
Question: I am a 61 years of age female. I am experiencing nausea, bloating, some pain in my lower abdomen, constipation. I do have to take some pain medicine for chronic pain but I have had issues in the past prior to taking some pain medication. I have had divers ticholitis but no polyps were found last year during a colonoscopy. I am miserable and I am retaining some water. I went to a doctor and he brushed it off and gave me some laxatives. I feel bad when I eat most foods. What do you think could be causing this. It is also caused me to retain 3 pounds.When I drink coffee or eat a no sugar added ice cream, it makes me nauseated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Constipation and disturbed gastric flora.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query,

I've gone through all your details and appreciate your concern.

The pathophysiology of gas and bloating is complicated.

The term gut microflora or microbiota means hundreds of species of bacteria which live in our intestinal tract. These bacterias and yeast are responsible for proper digestion and fermentation of food. Hundreds of species of bacteria and yeast are found in the colon of the human intestine. Even minor disturbances in gut microflora can lead to significant changes in gut function, including gas production.

In most of the cases, it's fatty foods which cause these symptoms. however any food whether it's fat or protein or complex carbohydrate when can not be properly digested releases a lot of gases like hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide which causes burping.

Constipation adds to the problem the digested food stagnates in the intestine and is acted upon by bad bacterias releasing gases and the increased pressure on intestines due to these gases causes nausea.

There are various machines that can be related to increased bloating:
If this microbiota is disturbed food is improperly fermented causing the production of a lot of gases in the gut leading to severe bloating.

Hence most common cause in most of the cases is disturbed microbiota.

Take a proton pump inhibitor like Esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily along with a prokinetic drug (eg.Domperidone) for 3 days. This will provide you symptomatic relief from symptoms
of dyspepsia (you may need to obtain a prescription for this from your local physician).

Antacid like Pepto Bismol can be taken for few days along with it.
Any over counter probiotic should be taken for few days to provide relief in symptoms of indigestion.

As far as constipation is concerned-

A drastic change in life style is required to cure constipation. Not exercising enough, not drinking enough water and delaying a bowel movement can worsen constipation symptoms. The most important factor in curing constipation is a natural and simple diet.

This should consist of unrefined food such as whole grain cereals, XXXXXXX honey, and lentils; green leafy vegetables, like spinach, beans, lettuce, celery, asparagus, carrot. Adding some fat to meals or increasing the size of a meal such as breakfast can help create the urge to defecate. Individuals suffering from constipation should increase the number of plant foods they consume to get more fiber in their diet. Constipation can be treated by changing diets.

Apart from this other recommendations are-

-Linseed is extremely useful in difficult cases of constipation. One teaspoon of linseed with warm water should be taken at night for bulk and lubrication.

-Proper chewing: The diet alone is not enough. Food should be properly chewed-each morsel for at least 20 times.

-Taking a short walk is a good way to get some light exercise. Walking time should be gradually increased until it reaches 20 minutes.

-You should drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Water helps push the food through the intestines and also helps lubricate intestinal tissues. When the body is dehydrated, the intestines absorb the fluids from the food waste, which in turn leads to hardened stools

- Avoiding alcohol (if at all consume) and caffeine is also important as these substances contribute to dehydration

Eat 2 cups of fruit 3 cups of vegetables and about 35 grams of fiber per day

Fruits: Generally all fruits, except banana and XXXXXXX fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
Pears are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
Guava fruit when eaten with seeds gives roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels.
Grapes: have also proved highly beneficial in overcoming constipation. The grapes have the cellulose; natural sugar and organic acid make them a natural laxative fruit. Not only they clean the bowel but also tones up the stomach and intestines to relieve chronic constipation.

All these things will increase the bulk of your stool, will soften it and will clear your ileum of the compacted fecal material.

-While sitting on the toilet, support the feet on a small stool in order to achieve a normal position that aids in bowel movement.

Don't stop laxative, initially start following all these advises then gradually taper the doses of laxatives you are on.

Take Fybogel husk-Fybogel sachets and Fybogel Hi-Fibre sachets both contain the active ingredient ispaghula husk, which is a type of medicine called a bulk-forming laxative. Ispaghula is a type of fiber. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the feces. It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer.

Hope I answered your query.
Thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (55 minutes later)
Unfortunately, we have moved to another state and I still haven't found a family doctor that I like. I will try to do this upcoming week. It's very hard to find a good doctor here in this little town. I really appreciate your answer and believe me I will take it to heart and follow your advice. I was very hurt to be blown off from a doctor as if it was all in my head. I have had issues with my stomach for years and my brother had chromes decease and I hear my body and know when something isn't working right. Thank you so much for your help. Please, have a great weekend.
XXXXXXX McKelvy
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you so much and have a great weekend.
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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What Causes Nausea, Abdominal Bloating And Constipation In An Elderly Person?

Brief Answer: Constipation and disturbed gastric flora. Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query, I've gone through all your details and appreciate your concern. The pathophysiology of gas and bloating is complicated. The term gut microflora or microbiota means hundreds of species of bacteria which live in our intestinal tract. These bacterias and yeast are responsible for proper digestion and fermentation of food. Hundreds of species of bacteria and yeast are found in the colon of the human intestine. Even minor disturbances in gut microflora can lead to significant changes in gut function, including gas production. In most of the cases, it's fatty foods which cause these symptoms. however any food whether it's fat or protein or complex carbohydrate when can not be properly digested releases a lot of gases like hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide which causes burping. Constipation adds to the problem the digested food stagnates in the intestine and is acted upon by bad bacterias releasing gases and the increased pressure on intestines due to these gases causes nausea. There are various machines that can be related to increased bloating: If this microbiota is disturbed food is improperly fermented causing the production of a lot of gases in the gut leading to severe bloating. Hence most common cause in most of the cases is disturbed microbiota. Take a proton pump inhibitor like Esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily along with a prokinetic drug (eg.Domperidone) for 3 days. This will provide you symptomatic relief from symptoms of dyspepsia (you may need to obtain a prescription for this from your local physician). Antacid like Pepto Bismol can be taken for few days along with it. Any over counter probiotic should be taken for few days to provide relief in symptoms of indigestion. As far as constipation is concerned- A drastic change in life style is required to cure constipation. Not exercising enough, not drinking enough water and delaying a bowel movement can worsen constipation symptoms. The most important factor in curing constipation is a natural and simple diet. This should consist of unrefined food such as whole grain cereals, XXXXXXX honey, and lentils; green leafy vegetables, like spinach, beans, lettuce, celery, asparagus, carrot. Adding some fat to meals or increasing the size of a meal such as breakfast can help create the urge to defecate. Individuals suffering from constipation should increase the number of plant foods they consume to get more fiber in their diet. Constipation can be treated by changing diets. Apart from this other recommendations are- -Linseed is extremely useful in difficult cases of constipation. One teaspoon of linseed with warm water should be taken at night for bulk and lubrication. -Proper chewing: The diet alone is not enough. Food should be properly chewed-each morsel for at least 20 times. -Taking a short walk is a good way to get some light exercise. Walking time should be gradually increased until it reaches 20 minutes. -You should drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Water helps push the food through the intestines and also helps lubricate intestinal tissues. When the body is dehydrated, the intestines absorb the fluids from the food waste, which in turn leads to hardened stools - Avoiding alcohol (if at all consume) and caffeine is also important as these substances contribute to dehydration Eat 2 cups of fruit 3 cups of vegetables and about 35 grams of fiber per day Fruits: Generally all fruits, except banana and XXXXXXX fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Pears are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Guava fruit when eaten with seeds gives roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. Grapes: have also proved highly beneficial in overcoming constipation. The grapes have the cellulose; natural sugar and organic acid make them a natural laxative fruit. Not only they clean the bowel but also tones up the stomach and intestines to relieve chronic constipation. All these things will increase the bulk of your stool, will soften it and will clear your ileum of the compacted fecal material. -While sitting on the toilet, support the feet on a small stool in order to achieve a normal position that aids in bowel movement. Don't stop laxative, initially start following all these advises then gradually taper the doses of laxatives you are on. Take Fybogel husk-Fybogel sachets and Fybogel Hi-Fibre sachets both contain the active ingredient ispaghula husk, which is a type of medicine called a bulk-forming laxative. Ispaghula is a type of fiber. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the feces. It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer. Hope I answered your query. Thanks!