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What Causes Diarrhea And Constipation?

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Posted on Tue, 9 Sep 2014
Question: I had a stomach bug about 3-4 weeks ago where I had a lot of diarrhea and I was dehydrated,fast forward to now and I am over the bug and I am hydrated but there seems to be pain in my left side still,I am having bowel movements every day now but I felt constipated,about 1 foot of feces per day that I am expelling.nothing green or watery,stool looks normal,doc did bloodwork and everything is normal there.feels like the pain is in my 2-5 region of my stomach on the left side from my back to my front.is this still from that sickness?ps.I am having to strain to expel my stills even now,maybe that is the pain?pulled muscle?not sure would like professional opinion
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
IBS symptoms, need management

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
That spasmodic pain alternating diarrhea with constipation and all associated complaints are due to the very same functional bowel IBS . And we all know that it needs a complete diet and lifestyle modifications and many efforts.

Diet and lifestyle modifications for the functional Gi troubles, More fibres, less fats and carbohydrates, small meals of frequent durations that few larger ones, use of healthy lifestyle and exercise, losing weight if an issue, controlling lipid profile in a limit and compliantly using hypertensive medicines and staying in touch with your doctor is advised.
Fiber supplementation improve symptoms of constipation and diarrhea. Polycarbophil compounds (eg, Citrucel, FiberCon) may produce less flatulence than psyllium compounds (eg, Metamucil).

Judicious water intake is recommended and should be followed. Minimum of 2 litres in a day is advised.

Caffeine avoidance may limit anxiety and symptom exacerbation. Legume avoidance may decrease abdominal bloating. Lactose and/or fructose should be limited or avoided Take care to supplement calcium in patients limiting lactose intake.

Gluten intolerance has been further associated with irritable bowel syndrome. so try gluten free diet and see if it helps.
Meanwhile some prokinetics like metoclopramide and domperidone and erythromycins would keep the propelling work and make the bloating less but it needs a work up as i mentioned to sort out the most likely functional cause as IBS etc.

Management of irritable bowel syndrome consists primarily of providing psychological support and recommending dietary measures. Pharmacologic treatment is adjunctive and should be directed at symptoms.

Although evidence is mixed regarding long-term improvement in GI symptoms with successful treatment of psychiatric comorbidities, the XXXXXXX College of Gastroenterology has concluded the following:

Psychological interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dynamic psychotherapy, and hypnotherapy are more effective than placebo
Relaxation therapy is no more effective than usual care
Pharmacologic agents used for management of symptoms in IBS include the following:

Anticholinergics (eg, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine)
Antidiarrheals (eg, diphenoxylate, loperamide)
Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, imipramine, amitriptyline)
Prokinetics
Bulk-forming laxatives
Serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, alosetron)
Chloride channel activators (eg, lubiprostone)
Guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) agonists (eg, linaclotide)
Antispasmodics (eg, peppermint oil, pinaverium, trimebutine, cimetropium/dicyclomine).

Nut shell, All your symptoms are functional bowel IBS result and need Management. Seek a gastroenterologist for further management.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

May the odds be ever in your favour.

Regards
Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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What Causes Diarrhea And Constipation?

Brief Answer: IBS symptoms, need management Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking That spasmodic pain alternating diarrhea with constipation and all associated complaints are due to the very same functional bowel IBS . And we all know that it needs a complete diet and lifestyle modifications and many efforts. Diet and lifestyle modifications for the functional Gi troubles, More fibres, less fats and carbohydrates, small meals of frequent durations that few larger ones, use of healthy lifestyle and exercise, losing weight if an issue, controlling lipid profile in a limit and compliantly using hypertensive medicines and staying in touch with your doctor is advised. Fiber supplementation improve symptoms of constipation and diarrhea. Polycarbophil compounds (eg, Citrucel, FiberCon) may produce less flatulence than psyllium compounds (eg, Metamucil). Judicious water intake is recommended and should be followed. Minimum of 2 litres in a day is advised. Caffeine avoidance may limit anxiety and symptom exacerbation. Legume avoidance may decrease abdominal bloating. Lactose and/or fructose should be limited or avoided Take care to supplement calcium in patients limiting lactose intake. Gluten intolerance has been further associated with irritable bowel syndrome. so try gluten free diet and see if it helps. Meanwhile some prokinetics like metoclopramide and domperidone and erythromycins would keep the propelling work and make the bloating less but it needs a work up as i mentioned to sort out the most likely functional cause as IBS etc. Management of irritable bowel syndrome consists primarily of providing psychological support and recommending dietary measures. Pharmacologic treatment is adjunctive and should be directed at symptoms. Although evidence is mixed regarding long-term improvement in GI symptoms with successful treatment of psychiatric comorbidities, the XXXXXXX College of Gastroenterology has concluded the following: Psychological interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dynamic psychotherapy, and hypnotherapy are more effective than placebo Relaxation therapy is no more effective than usual care Pharmacologic agents used for management of symptoms in IBS include the following: Anticholinergics (eg, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine) Antidiarrheals (eg, diphenoxylate, loperamide) Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, imipramine, amitriptyline) Prokinetics Bulk-forming laxatives Serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, alosetron) Chloride channel activators (eg, lubiprostone) Guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) agonists (eg, linaclotide) Antispasmodics (eg, peppermint oil, pinaverium, trimebutine, cimetropium/dicyclomine). Nut shell, All your symptoms are functional bowel IBS result and need Management. Seek a gastroenterologist for further management. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. Regards Khan