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What Causes Frequent Bowel Movements?

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Posted on Thu, 13 Nov 2014
Question: I have been experiencing frequent bowel movements (3/day) & generally some minor discomfort in my intestinal area. I had a colonoscopy a week ago & results were good, although I was told I needed additional drug to calm my intestine down.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Frequent bowel movement

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
At this age 71 years 2-3 bowel movement in not uncommon but this is a good thing that you had very good result after colonoscopy .
Mild discomfort and frequent ( 3 /day) bowel movement may be due to increase in intestinal motility or movement .
Usually increase in bowel movement is due to increase movement either due to bacteria or virus or any infection or ulcer but in your case results are fine so doctor advise only drugs for bowel movement , so please take a full course as advised your treating doctors.
But take plenty of water , juice & bulky food (as banana, rice , curd ) until and unless contraindicated .
Hope this will help you .
Further any question I will reply in follow up.
Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (12 hours later)
Do you think I may have a spastic colon? & what medication do you recommend?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Spastic colon and its treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Spastic colon, patients with spastic colon fall into two broad clinical groups.
Most commonly patients have abdominal pain associated with altered bowels habits that consists of constipation, diarrhea or both.
In 2nd group, patients have painless diarrhea.

In my opinion, as you mentioned that you are having 3 bowel movements/day, nothing more than this, if loose motion or constipation present, it may have due to spastic colon.
But if bowel movements are semisolid then may be due to indigestion or change in dietary habits.
As I mentioned in two groups, this is criteria for spastic colon.

Now a days drug of choice is MEBEVERINE, dosage are as hydrochloride:135 mg thrice in a day or 100 mg thrice in day (modified release).
Mild dizziness, headache, insomnia, decreased heart rate are common side effects but patient can tolerate it after 5-6 days treatment.

If you are having loose motion then take some anti diarrheal preparation with bulking agents.
If you think, that you are having depression then you may need some antidepressant (this is also treatment for spastic colon).

Hope this will help you.

Good luck.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6271 Questions

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What Causes Frequent Bowel Movements?

Brief Answer: Frequent bowel movement Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX XXXXXXX At this age 71 years 2-3 bowel movement in not uncommon but this is a good thing that you had very good result after colonoscopy . Mild discomfort and frequent ( 3 /day) bowel movement may be due to increase in intestinal motility or movement . Usually increase in bowel movement is due to increase movement either due to bacteria or virus or any infection or ulcer but in your case results are fine so doctor advise only drugs for bowel movement , so please take a full course as advised your treating doctors. But take plenty of water , juice & bulky food (as banana, rice , curd ) until and unless contraindicated . Hope this will help you . Further any question I will reply in follow up. Good luck.