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I Am 67 And In Excellent Health. Have Never Had

Posted on Sat, 18 May 2019

Question: I am 67 and in excellent health. Have never had bowel problems, but have sudden onset constipation which is quite severe. I recently spent a month in XXXXXXX with no problems at all, but after a meal of steak and kidneys, it began (about 2 weeks ago), and has abated somewhat, but not completely. I eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Should be treated with dietary measures first

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcomd to HCM. This is probably related to change in your diet during this trip ND sometimes several weeks are required to reconstitute usual bowel function. I would not insist on specific tests at this point. You should have healthy, high Fibre diet, lot of fruits, vegetables. Have magnesium supplements, psilium or similar herbal products, and in case of no improvement , have laxatives such as bisacodil or glycerin suppositories. I also suggest to check CEA marker. If there won't be success, you should do colonoscopy. Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (3 days later)

Thank you very much for this information. Do you know if I can go to a walk-in clinic for a CEA test, or would I need a referral from a physician? I don't really have one.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (28 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think it is available in walk in clinic

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I don't think it is available there since this is not standard blood test. So referral to some more specialized laboratory service or larger hospital should be necessary. There are some other markers, but CEA is most accurate for detecting large bowel issues.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (31 hours later)

Many thanks. Don't know what's happening, but I had a lymph node on the right side of my neck 'blow up' last night like a small egg after I ate some seaweed chips. It subsided within about two hours, but it has just happened again this morning eating a bowl of berries, so I think it may be time for me to find a local doctor....I have never had any illness of any kind, so this is quite strange for me.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
This is very unusual to have such sudden enlargement of lymph node and probably you have previously enlarged node which may become more prominent from time to time.
I think that some general laboratory work up should be done including white blood count, eosinophiles and food allergies and thyroid ultrasound just to rule out some possible allergic reactions and thyroid enlargement.
WIsh you good health. Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad