HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Severe Constipation?

default
Posted on Sat, 5 Jul 2014
Question: Haven't had a bowel move movement except one in four weeks. Usually have the opposite problem
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
need intervention, then management

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!
If obstipation(complete stool and flatus obstructions) has been ruled out then it is severe form of constipation and it will need some intervention to get the bowel evacuated with strict monitoring and dietary and lifestyle precautions to avoid recurrences in future.
As you mentioned usually the opposite problem , do you mean your constipation alternates with diarrhoea as that would make it an IBS.
right now you need to rush to ER and get the stool evacuated manually doctors will do the manual evacuation of the impacted stools. They will run some labs and radiographs to assess the bowel, digital rectal examination, proctoscopy, colonoscopy and then bowel functional assessment like washout techniques, radiography and breath tests., CT volumetry and some other GI functional assessment like Lower GI endoscopy, colonic transit study, defecography, anorectal manometry, surface anal electromyography (EMG), and balloon expulsion would make things clear for the etiology.
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.
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.
You should focus on dietary change and exercise rather than laxatives, enemas, and suppositories, none of which really address the underlying problem.
I want you to know that The key to treating most patients with constipation is correction of dietary deficiencies, which generally involves increasing intake of fiber and fluid and decreasing the use of constipating agents (eg, milk products, coffee, tea, alcohol).

Medications to treat constipation include the following:

Bulk-forming agents (fibers; eg, psyllium): arguably the best and least expensive medication for long-term treatment
Emollient stool softeners (eg, docusate): Best used for short-term prophylaxis (eg, postoperative)
Rapidly acting lubricants (eg, mineral oil): Used for acute or subacute management of constipation
Prokinetics (eg, tegaserod): Proposed for use with severe constipation-predominant symptoms
Stimulant laxatives (eg, senna): Over-the-counter agents commonly but inappropriately used for long-term treatment of constipation
Newer therapies for constipation include the following:

Prucalopride, a prokinetic selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 (5-HT4) receptor antagonist that stimulates colonic motility and decreases transit time
The osmotic agents lubiprostone and linaclotide, which are FDA approved for chronic idiopathic constipation, constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome, and (in the case of lubiprostone) opioid-induced constipation in adults with chronic, noncancer pain.
Discuss the newer advancements like sacral nerve stimulation with your doctor for constipation.
But first things first, get to ER let them rule out any surgical intervention needing trouble followed by manual evacuation of the colon retained for last 4 weeks which is too much and then make you on a strict monitoring plan for future.
Get to ER and let them refer you to a gastroenterologic facility, get there before it is too late.
I hope it helps.Take care and don't forget to close the discussion please.
May the odds be ever in your favour.
Regards
S XXXXXXX
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
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Severe Constipation?

Brief Answer: need intervention, then management Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! If obstipation(complete stool and flatus obstructions) has been ruled out then it is severe form of constipation and it will need some intervention to get the bowel evacuated with strict monitoring and dietary and lifestyle precautions to avoid recurrences in future. As you mentioned usually the opposite problem , do you mean your constipation alternates with diarrhoea as that would make it an IBS. right now you need to rush to ER and get the stool evacuated manually doctors will do the manual evacuation of the impacted stools. They will run some labs and radiographs to assess the bowel, digital rectal examination, proctoscopy, colonoscopy and then bowel functional assessment like washout techniques, radiography and breath tests., CT volumetry and some other GI functional assessment like Lower GI endoscopy, colonic transit study, defecography, anorectal manometry, surface anal electromyography (EMG), and balloon expulsion would make things clear for the etiology. 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. 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. You should focus on dietary change and exercise rather than laxatives, enemas, and suppositories, none of which really address the underlying problem. I want you to know that The key to treating most patients with constipation is correction of dietary deficiencies, which generally involves increasing intake of fiber and fluid and decreasing the use of constipating agents (eg, milk products, coffee, tea, alcohol). Medications to treat constipation include the following: Bulk-forming agents (fibers; eg, psyllium): arguably the best and least expensive medication for long-term treatment Emollient stool softeners (eg, docusate): Best used for short-term prophylaxis (eg, postoperative) Rapidly acting lubricants (eg, mineral oil): Used for acute or subacute management of constipation Prokinetics (eg, tegaserod): Proposed for use with severe constipation-predominant symptoms Stimulant laxatives (eg, senna): Over-the-counter agents commonly but inappropriately used for long-term treatment of constipation Newer therapies for constipation include the following: Prucalopride, a prokinetic selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 (5-HT4) receptor antagonist that stimulates colonic motility and decreases transit time The osmotic agents lubiprostone and linaclotide, which are FDA approved for chronic idiopathic constipation, constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome, and (in the case of lubiprostone) opioid-induced constipation in adults with chronic, noncancer pain. Discuss the newer advancements like sacral nerve stimulation with your doctor for constipation. But first things first, get to ER let them rule out any surgical intervention needing trouble followed by manual evacuation of the colon retained for last 4 weeks which is too much and then make you on a strict monitoring plan for future. Get to ER and let them refer you to a gastroenterologic facility, get there before it is too late. I hope it helps.Take care and don't forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. Regards S XXXXXXX