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What Causes Persistent Constipation And Malabsorption?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I am 27 year old guy. I started facing constipation when i was 16 and till now i am facing it. Initially for 2 years i took laxatives like Dulcolax to keep things moving inside my stomach. Over the time of those 2 years i realized that i needed triple quantity of dulcolax which i was using initially, So after that i completely stopped taking laxatives.
And since then i became underweight, my hair started falling and after 10 long years situation is worse as hair are continue falling, i am still under weight, i have sunken cheeks, i always feel tired, lethargic, very low stamina, my bones make cracking sounds, memory is becoming weak, eye sight is also getting poor, fighting through depression and anxiety.
Now i days i rely on herbal laxatives, i remember there was a time when i didn’t went to shit for 23 days on a row (i mean i used to go to bathroom but nothing comes out), i have been through a lot hell.
My constipation is not hard, its semi solid and sticky (btw i do shit in asian style) but it does not get evacuate completely and when i eat something heavy like chicken, pizzas etc i got hell constipated.
I have tried almost everything in Ayurveda like triphala (it does not work on me), senna (it does work) but senna is laxative but not the cure for constipation.
So what happened before i was 16?
I had an allergy from some medicine due to which i have rashes and then black spots all over my body except face (when i was 12). i took medicine for those spots for 2 - 3 years. i don’t know if this medication is responsible for what i am facing today.
i have also tried different herbs or supplements to increase my body weight but nothing worked. When i tried ashwagandha i had nausea and when i try other mass gainers from the market i get even more severe constipation and they hardly work.
My appetite is not much but i feel hungry soon after eating meal.
After all these 10 years i still don’t know what exactly is the reason behind my constipation and malabsorption.
I am definitely looking for your help. Can you please help me finding the cure and getting better?
Thanks in advance XXXXXXX Saxena
I am 27 year old guy. I started facing constipation when i was 16 and till now i am facing it. Initially for 2 years i took laxatives like Dulcolax to keep things moving inside my stomach. Over the time of those 2 years i realized that i needed triple quantity of dulcolax which i was using initially, So after that i completely stopped taking laxatives.
And since then i became underweight, my hair started falling and after 10 long years situation is worse as hair are continue falling, i am still under weight, i have sunken cheeks, i always feel tired, lethargic, very low stamina, my bones make cracking sounds, memory is becoming weak, eye sight is also getting poor, fighting through depression and anxiety.
Now i days i rely on herbal laxatives, i remember there was a time when i didn’t went to shit for 23 days on a row (i mean i used to go to bathroom but nothing comes out), i have been through a lot hell.
My constipation is not hard, its semi solid and sticky (btw i do shit in asian style) but it does not get evacuate completely and when i eat something heavy like chicken, pizzas etc i got hell constipated.
I have tried almost everything in Ayurveda like triphala (it does not work on me), senna (it does work) but senna is laxative but not the cure for constipation.
So what happened before i was 16?
I had an allergy from some medicine due to which i have rashes and then black spots all over my body except face (when i was 12). i took medicine for those spots for 2 - 3 years. i don’t know if this medication is responsible for what i am facing today.
i have also tried different herbs or supplements to increase my body weight but nothing worked. When i tried ashwagandha i had nausea and when i try other mass gainers from the market i get even more severe constipation and they hardly work.
My appetite is not much but i feel hungry soon after eating meal.
After all these 10 years i still don’t know what exactly is the reason behind my constipation and malabsorption.
I am definitely looking for your help. Can you please help me finding the cure and getting better?
Thanks in advance XXXXXXX Saxena
I have gone through various lab test like CBC, LFT, abdomen ultrasound but all were normal
i never had acid reflux, heartburn, bloating or any type of pain.
i never had acid reflux, heartburn, bloating or any type of pain.
Brief Answer:
Lifestyle modification will be beneficial along with medication.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to HCM
I have gone through your query.
It is not good to take laxative for longer time.
To treat you with only medication will be difficult, along with medication, some non-pharmacological measures need to be implemented as well:
1. Lifestyle changes
-Eat high fiber diet. Every meal should have salads and fruits with skin.
-Fluid intake should be high. Only plain water will do. Do not try juice or other products. Coffee is good for constipation. I recommend 4-6 glasses of water minimum. No refined meats, no refined grains. Whole grains food is best for you. Daily 250mL of Coconut water is superb dietary fiber supplement.
-Exercise, daily walking of about 15-30 min. Since he is aged, let him do how much ever possible
-Most importantly urge to go should be tackled, a regular time should be set up for motion. Trying several times a day will only spoil the next cycle
2. Medications
-Syp Lactulose can be taken upto 30 ml twice a day
-Bulking agents like ispaghula husk can be added onto meals to add fiber
-Stimulants like Bisacodyl tablets has given good results in my patients
Follow this measures for week, accurately, there should be improvement.
This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.
I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you.
Take care.
Lifestyle modification will be beneficial along with medication.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to HCM
I have gone through your query.
It is not good to take laxative for longer time.
To treat you with only medication will be difficult, along with medication, some non-pharmacological measures need to be implemented as well:
1. Lifestyle changes
-Eat high fiber diet. Every meal should have salads and fruits with skin.
-Fluid intake should be high. Only plain water will do. Do not try juice or other products. Coffee is good for constipation. I recommend 4-6 glasses of water minimum. No refined meats, no refined grains. Whole grains food is best for you. Daily 250mL of Coconut water is superb dietary fiber supplement.
-Exercise, daily walking of about 15-30 min. Since he is aged, let him do how much ever possible
-Most importantly urge to go should be tackled, a regular time should be set up for motion. Trying several times a day will only spoil the next cycle
2. Medications
-Syp Lactulose can be taken upto 30 ml twice a day
-Bulking agents like ispaghula husk can be added onto meals to add fiber
-Stimulants like Bisacodyl tablets has given good results in my patients
Follow this measures for week, accurately, there should be improvement.
This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.
I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
i eat whole grain food, lots of papaya as fruit. i use to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. i go to gym daily and even i walk more that time suggested by you.
lactose syrup has stopped working on me, even isabgol husk had does not do any thing in the past, so i don't take it now.
Bisacodyl is again a short term medicine and falls in the family of laxative.
so all your suggestions does not work.
My question is what exactly the problem can be like do i have weak digestion, di i have ant problem in small intestines or colon, do i lack digestive enzymes, do i have less peristaltic movement?
lactose syrup has stopped working on me, even isabgol husk had does not do any thing in the past, so i don't take it now.
Bisacodyl is again a short term medicine and falls in the family of laxative.
so all your suggestions does not work.
My question is what exactly the problem can be like do i have weak digestion, di i have ant problem in small intestines or colon, do i lack digestive enzymes, do i have less peristaltic movement?
Brief Answer:
Need to be evaluated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
The exact cause of chronic constipation, is not very clear, much research is in progress to understand it.
constipation is often linked with hard stools, one theory is that too much water is absorbed from the stool, leaving it dry and hard. Another theory is that abnormal hormonal responses to the ingested water may trigger chronic constipation.
There are few investigation that will be helpful in finding the cause, which includes colonoscopy, anorectal manometry. I would suggest you to see general surgeon for examination and for this investigation. These will be helpful in finding any pathology in intestines.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Need to be evaluated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
The exact cause of chronic constipation, is not very clear, much research is in progress to understand it.
constipation is often linked with hard stools, one theory is that too much water is absorbed from the stool, leaving it dry and hard. Another theory is that abnormal hormonal responses to the ingested water may trigger chronic constipation.
There are few investigation that will be helpful in finding the cause, which includes colonoscopy, anorectal manometry. I would suggest you to see general surgeon for examination and for this investigation. These will be helpful in finding any pathology in intestines.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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