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What Causes Constipation With Hard Balls Of Stools?
I am a 77 year old female. During the past few years, I have been having constipation. I go almost every day, but the stools are small hard balls and I never need to wipe after a movement. I have increased my fiber and on occasion have taken an over the counter stool softener. This usually improves the movement...making it softer but after taking the softener for about 3 days, it sort of tears up my digestive track causing discomfort and several stools that are loose. What would cause the stool to have small balls every day?
Thu, 7 Jan 2016
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Hard stool may also be due to inadequate fluid intake so you would need to make sure that you use at least 8 glasses of fluid daily unless you have medical reason that you cannot use fluids (heart/liver or kidney failure)
Alcohol or caffeine products are not included because these cause the body to lose fluids (diuresis).
You should try not to use the stool softener too often because these agents and other laxatives eventually worsen constipation because they stop the bowel from working properly.
Consider a fiber supplement as well.
I hope this helps
Hard stool may also be due to inadequate fluid intake so you would need to make sure that you use at least 8 glasses of fluid daily unless you have medical reason that you cannot use fluids (heart/liver or kidney failure)
Alcohol or caffeine products are not included because these cause the body to lose fluids (diuresis).
You should try not to use the stool softener too often because these agents and other laxatives eventually worsen constipation because they stop the bowel from working properly.
Consider a fiber supplement as well.
I hope this helps
I find this answer helpful
User's Response
HI
Well come to HCM
I really appreciate your concern, if this is the chronic constipation and you have tried all the possible option like fibber diet, daily defecation habit, so now it is the time to investigate the condition and better to see the gastroenterologist till the Isabgol can be tried, with anti biotic and best drug would 'Tab Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid" hope this information helps.
Well come to HCM
I really appreciate your concern, if this is the chronic constipation and you have tried all the possible option like fibber diet, daily defecation habit, so now it is the time to investigate the condition and better to see the gastroenterologist till the Isabgol can be tried, with anti biotic and best drug would 'Tab Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid" hope this information helps.
I find this answer helpful
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