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Is Kayam Safe To Take For Constipation?

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Posted on Thu, 23 Jun 2016
Question: Hi, I am 42 years old. for past 8 years i was taking isabgol for constipation. 5-6 months back i started taking kayam tablets. I take half tablet every day and everything seems normal but moment i stop taking half tablet of kayam i get fissures (very painful bowel passing) and pains remains for almost entire day. but when i start taking half tablet of kayam everything become normal again. Isabgol seems to be less effective now.
have i become addicted to kayam.
Can i take kayam regularly. Can you please advice or suggest better approach to my constipation problem.

Thanks a lot.

XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Brief answer....laxatives like KAYAM are addicting and must be stopped.
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
In fact you have developed laxative dependency and it is entirely a self created problem.
The moment a person starts taking stimulant laxatives like KAYAM for its daily stool passing,his intestines become addicted and dependent on them.
This gradually results in increased doses of laxatives in future.
What to do....
Bulk laxatives like ISABGOL are much much better as they are just fibre only and don't cause any harm to your body while stimulant laxatives can cause various harms to you in long run.
You can increase the dose of ISABGOL and start taking 15 gms twice a day with at least 250 ml of water.
Quit KAYAM gradually. Start taking 1/4 tab for 10 days and then on alternate days for 10 days and then stop.
Consume plenty of water daily.
Consume 6-8 glasses of water other than your normal thirst.
Take more Fiber rich diet by taking fruits,green vegetables,whole grains,oats etc.
Must do regular exercises for 45 minutes a day. You can start with a brisk walk. This would help in smooth passage of your food residue in your intestines.
Do consult a surgeon and get yourself checked up for your fissure.
It would take sometime for the proper results to kick in but you must do whatever has been advised.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (47 hours later)
Thank You Doctor for the feedback.
Few observations.

I will surely increase the dosage of Isabgol to see if it works. i do walk for 30-40 minutes every day but will start brisk walk as you stated and also increase intake of fruits & drink more water.

I am not sure if the word fissure which i stated earlier is technically correct. what i meant was whenever i stop taking Kayam, i do experience pain while passing the stool. Sometimes lots of pain and i have to end up taking painkiller. but pain immediately subsides the moment I start taking Kayam. so in matter of 24 to 36 hours i am back to normal with no pain. do you think i should still consult surgeon or wait to see if by increasing the dosage of Isabgol, eating more fruits and drink more water my situation improves. I will surely consult if you say so but just thought of informing you that fissures is just the word i used to describe my condition & it may be something else in medical terms.


Thank you again doctor!!
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Hello,
Increasing intake of water,fibre and doing exercises would definitely help you.
May be it takes some time but eventually that is the best.
It would be good to get your anal canal examined by a surgeon to look for any possible anomaly.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (11 days later)
Thanks Doctor.
As you suggested, I met gastroenterologist (MBBS) here in XXXXXXX He advised me to take Cremaffin plus and Duphalac (lactulose) syrups till my pain is under control. I experience lot of pain whenever my stools become hard.
He asked me to keep taking laxatives for 2 weeks, even kayam if need be till the fissure is healed. Idea is to keep stools soft till i experience zero pain.

I did take both the syrups for few days but i still experience some pain. I have to apply ano bliss cream for 4-5 times a day to keep pain in control. although i am not taking any painkiller.
Do you have any thoughts on this. You think i should follow this doctor's advise or visit another surgeon for 2nd opinion.
I am planning to start half tablet of kayam for next few days to see if that helps me reducing/ eliminating my pain.
Please advise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (3 hours later)
Hello,
You may keep taking what your doctor has advised but you must consult a surgeon,as I advised you earlier,to know the exact status of your anal canal.
We must see whether fissure is actually present or not or whether there is any other problem.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Thank You Doctor.
I was looking at hospital file. the Gastroenterologist whom i consulted is MBBS , MD - General Medicine , DNB - Gastroenterology). Is he surgeon? if not, then i will look for surgeon to consult.

I did ask this doctor to examine by anal canal but he advised me to first ensure pain goes away so he prescribed me to take whatever laxatives that work for me for 2 weeks till fissure is fully healed. He said no point in examining since you have pain, when i insisted he said once your pain is gone, you can come to me and i will examine the anal canal.
Is this doctor's logic correct, according to him once the stool is soft, any minor fissures if any will heal by itself, he said don't let the stool become hard & that will ensure any cracks are fully cured.

Should i get my anal canal examined while i am experiencing pain or wait for it to heal & go back to this doctor after 2 weeks of laxatives.
Its been a while since i have experienced a pain free & normal day :) & hence asking you many questions.

Please advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (12 minutes later)
Hello,
You must visit surgeon now so as to he can see it while you are in pain.
Your gastroenterologist is not a surgeon.
Thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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Is Kayam Safe To Take For Constipation?

Brief answer....laxatives like KAYAM are addicting and must be stopped. Detailed answer.... Hello, Thanks for the query. I have read your query and understand your concern. In fact you have developed laxative dependency and it is entirely a self created problem. The moment a person starts taking stimulant laxatives like KAYAM for its daily stool passing,his intestines become addicted and dependent on them. This gradually results in increased doses of laxatives in future. What to do.... Bulk laxatives like ISABGOL are much much better as they are just fibre only and don't cause any harm to your body while stimulant laxatives can cause various harms to you in long run. You can increase the dose of ISABGOL and start taking 15 gms twice a day with at least 250 ml of water. Quit KAYAM gradually. Start taking 1/4 tab for 10 days and then on alternate days for 10 days and then stop. Consume plenty of water daily. Consume 6-8 glasses of water other than your normal thirst. Take more Fiber rich diet by taking fruits,green vegetables,whole grains,oats etc. Must do regular exercises for 45 minutes a day. You can start with a brisk walk. This would help in smooth passage of your food residue in your intestines. Do consult a surgeon and get yourself checked up for your fissure. It would take sometime for the proper results to kick in but you must do whatever has been advised. I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks