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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea Caused After Constipation

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Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2014
Question: I had a spell of constipation, and a congested feeling in the groin and left lower side. I took milk of magnesia and a suppository and cleared it out. I have been feeling weaker and queasy since....with some gurgling sensation in gut. Not feeling so hungry and had some diarrhea this morning. How would you manage this condition....
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
probiotics may help

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Constipation can cause changes in the bowel particularly if a large amount of feces has been removed.

The effects may also occur as a result of the medication.

They should diminish in time but if they are particularly bothersome then you may want to consider the following:
(1) pepto bismol
This is used for a variety of abdominal complaints but would be particularly helpful for your nausea and would prevent or reduce future diarrhoea

(2) probiotics
This would help to replace your normal bacterial intestinal flora.
Probiotics have also been found to be helpful for abdominal symptoms.

They can be obtained from yogurt or on their own.

To avoid future constipation it would be important to use enough fluids and fiber.
Fiber comes from whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

If you cannot get from foods then you can use fiber supplements such as metamucil, benefiber, citrucel.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Thanks....took probiotic and ate a pear....now I see that my fever is 101 and constipation has changed to a darkish diarrhea every few hours. Just took pepto Bismol and aspirin....I have had some g I disturbance since last Thursday!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
continue peptobismol , probiotic, hold aspirin

Detailed Answer:
HI

The aspirin may irritate the stomach further in some cases. It is one of the medications that can potentially cause gastritis.
If you are not currently using it because of heart disease, you may want to consider holding off for a few days.

Continue the probiotic for at least 3 days.

Use paracetamol for the fever.

Continue the peptobismol

Use fluids (preferably cool or cold) to help prevent dehydration secondary to diarrhea.
If the diarrhea continues then you may want to hold off solid foods for 24 hours and use mainly fluids.
Using solids during diarrhea can cause it to worsen

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (2 hours later)
Hmmm...very helpful. Will try the med for fever reduction. I wonder if fever is a sign of infection in the gut...Should I get a lab blood white cell count...or any other labs to further see what could be the cause? I am suddenly very congested....and someone said it could relate. Do you agree?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it is an indicator of infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The fever is a likely sign of infection. It could be related to your gastrointestinal symptoms or your congestion (if it is an early indicator of the cold or flu starting)

You do not need a lab test at this time. The white cell would be increased in an infection but it would indicate the source and would not determine the course of treatment at this time.
A white cell is not in most infections because the vast majority are short term and resolve with appropriate treatment.

If anything else remains unclear, please feel free to ask
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea Caused After Constipation

Brief Answer: probiotics may help Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic Constipation can cause changes in the bowel particularly if a large amount of feces has been removed. The effects may also occur as a result of the medication. They should diminish in time but if they are particularly bothersome then you may want to consider the following: (1) pepto bismol This is used for a variety of abdominal complaints but would be particularly helpful for your nausea and would prevent or reduce future diarrhoea (2) probiotics This would help to replace your normal bacterial intestinal flora. Probiotics have also been found to be helpful for abdominal symptoms. They can be obtained from yogurt or on their own. To avoid future constipation it would be important to use enough fluids and fiber. Fiber comes from whole grains, fruits and vegetables. If you cannot get from foods then you can use fiber supplements such as metamucil, benefiber, citrucel. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions