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Is There Anything At All I Can Do About Constipation I Have Had Most Of My Life?

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Posted on Wed, 7 Apr 2021
Question: I have had problems with constipation most of my life. In 2016, had left sided colectomy (no bag) for recurrent diverticulitis (constipation did not help this).
I started taking 145 mg of Linzess every other day about one year ago - all of a sudden, it stopped working
Over the last week, I have had a CT scan (normal), abdominal x-ray and ultrasound (normal), blood work normal (no elevated WBC)
Have had some BM but not total "relief." Abdominal x-ray did show feces in upper right but not much.
I have told ER physicians that I am concerned, especially given my history - they just told me to continue to drink a lot of water, try more Benefiber (have not been consistent with taking this, Miralax bloats me very much), move for at least 30 minutes per day and try not to worry - just relax - it will happen.
Any thoughts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Take lactulose 30 ml once daily(over the counter).

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Initially i would say that have a practical approach as there is no magical formula,Things will take time but they will help in long term.

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 amount of plant foods they consume to get more fiber in their diet. Constipation can be treated by changing diets.
Secondly human gastrointestinal tract is colonized by 1013-14 bacteria of 400 different species and subspecies.They are responsible for proper digestion of food.Depletion of this flora due to surgery can lead to severe constipation and digestive problems.
tribute to dehydration.
-Use fish oil and castor oil-Fish oil is believed to encourage healthy digestion and castor oil produces a laxative effect when ingested
-Fruits and vegetables, which contain high amounts of fiber, aid in alleviating symptoms of constipation,Whole-grain bread, XXXXXXX oatmeal, beans and lentils can also relieve the problem so use it Instead of highly processed rice, eat brown rice, millet or bulgur.
-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 the chronic constipation
All these things will increase the bulk of your stool,Will soften it and will clear your ileum of the compacted faecal 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 advices then gradually taper the doses of laxatives she is 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 fibre. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the faeces.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 and easier to pass. Psyllium, one type of bulk-forming laxative.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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Is There Anything At All I Can Do About Constipation I Have Had Most Of My Life?

Brief Answer: Take lactulose 30 ml once daily(over the counter). Detailed Answer: Hi, Initially i would say that have a practical approach as there is no magical formula,Things will take time but they will help in long term. 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 amount of plant foods they consume to get more fiber in their diet. Constipation can be treated by changing diets. Secondly human gastrointestinal tract is colonized by 1013-14 bacteria of 400 different species and subspecies.They are responsible for proper digestion of food.Depletion of this flora due to surgery can lead to severe constipation and digestive problems. tribute to dehydration. -Use fish oil and castor oil-Fish oil is believed to encourage healthy digestion and castor oil produces a laxative effect when ingested -Fruits and vegetables, which contain high amounts of fiber, aid in alleviating symptoms of constipation,Whole-grain bread, XXXXXXX oatmeal, beans and lentils can also relieve the problem so use it Instead of highly processed rice, eat brown rice, millet or bulgur. -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 the chronic constipation All these things will increase the bulk of your stool,Will soften it and will clear your ileum of the compacted faecal 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 advices then gradually taper the doses of laxatives she is 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 fibre. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the faeces.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 and easier to pass. Psyllium, one type of bulk-forming laxative. Thanks.