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Suggest Treatment For Constipation
Question: I AM 84 YEARS OLD MODERATELY ACTIVE EXERCISE REGURLY BUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME MY BMS MAY BE 3/4 DAYS APART AND WHEN THE TIME ARRIVES MY STOOL IS VERY HARD AND HARD TO RELEASE, I AM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NATURAL AND NON ADDICTIVE IF THERE IS SUCH A THING AVAILABLE. I WORK EVERY DAY DOING ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS, I AM A LIGHT EATER, REASONABLY GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, EAT RED MEAT MAYBE EVERY 2 WEEKS AND THE SAME WITH BARBECURE, OTHERWISE VEGGIES , SALADS AND FRUITS, HELP!!!!!!
Brief Answer:
kiwi, plums
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are some particularly effective fruits that increase stool volume and may help to form softer stool. Kiwi is the best I've seen in practice but plums are also acceptable. A couple of kiwi per day make most patients feel great regarding their stool consistency. Some patients with 'weak' intestinal motility may still suffer from constipation though.
If the fruits, vegetables and salads can't make any (significant) difference then taking some lactulose seems like the next best alternative. Lactulose will make your stool softer but it can't substitute for decreased intestinal motility - if this is your main problem.
Also make sure that your drink enough water, remain physically active (every day) and try to go to the toilet at the same time each day (you should try even if you don't feel like you need to). Please keep in mind that constipation may be caused by various disorders (like tumors for example) so an abrupt onset of constipation should be investigated for the underlying cause. A long-standing constipation is different in this regard...
Finally you should try to check whether any drugs you may take (I don't see anything... there is no visible file with your history) cause constipation or not. Commonly implicated drugs include iron, certain antihypertensive drugs (amlodipine for example), opioids, etc.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
kiwi, plums
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are some particularly effective fruits that increase stool volume and may help to form softer stool. Kiwi is the best I've seen in practice but plums are also acceptable. A couple of kiwi per day make most patients feel great regarding their stool consistency. Some patients with 'weak' intestinal motility may still suffer from constipation though.
If the fruits, vegetables and salads can't make any (significant) difference then taking some lactulose seems like the next best alternative. Lactulose will make your stool softer but it can't substitute for decreased intestinal motility - if this is your main problem.
Also make sure that your drink enough water, remain physically active (every day) and try to go to the toilet at the same time each day (you should try even if you don't feel like you need to). Please keep in mind that constipation may be caused by various disorders (like tumors for example) so an abrupt onset of constipation should be investigated for the underlying cause. A long-standing constipation is different in this regard...
Finally you should try to check whether any drugs you may take (I don't see anything... there is no visible file with your history) cause constipation or not. Commonly implicated drugs include iron, certain antihypertensive drugs (amlodipine for example), opioids, etc.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you for your prompt response, however that is really not much help to me, what do you think about stool softners and which ones do you think best ?Metamucil has not been effective for me, I have also tried gummies and senna which works somewhat but is no good for regularity ...........help
Brief Answer:
lactulose?
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
I've already suggested lactulose which can be used regularly. If softeners like lactulose fail to achieve the required results then drugs like senna or bisacodyl can be used but they can't be used every day. Using an enema is another solution when all else fails.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
lactulose?
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
I've already suggested lactulose which can be used regularly. If softeners like lactulose fail to achieve the required results then drugs like senna or bisacodyl can be used but they can't be used every day. Using an enema is another solution when all else fails.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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