My problems with constipation were medically related (NSAIDs, trazadone, etc.) Flax seed oil capsules work great for me. My mother, however, had a stroke. Flax seed oil helped a little, but not much. Lactulose was reasonably effective for her; however, lactulose also speeds up the need to go pee. (If you have had a stroke, rushing to the bathroom, well, takes way too long.) So the latest treatment I'm trying with her is magnesium citrate. I'm starting to do research on this. It does seem to be effective. I imagine it must be better than using laxatives long-term, but the medical info says not to use it long-term without consulting a doctor.
Comment from: Roxann, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: December 08
I went to the hospital because I had severe pain from constipation. They took X-rays and found I was impacted. So the doctor released me and gave me a prescription for this gallon of nasty stuff to drink. I took it, and here I am again feeling so bloated. I went to a new doctor and all he did was give me bowel softener, and it doesn't work either. I had a colonoscopy in June and everything was good. I don't know what to do.
Comment from: Bear, 75 or over Male (Patient)Published: November 07
I began using an enema 50 years ago. Today I use an enema nearly every day. My educator wife of 26 years begins each day with an enema. We both exercise, eat lots of bran and love large salads. Our doctors are unconcerned about our 2 quart, plain water enemas. The down side is the time required to empty the water. We rairly experience the urge to defecate naturly. The up side is the feeling that the colon is completely empty.
Comment from: zeba, 7-12 Female (Caregiver)Published: November 07
My eleven year old daughter has suffered constipation since she was born. It gradually got worse. I tried many things that the doctor recommended but I find the most effective to be a regular (every couple of days) dose of bisacodyl (dulcolax) and if that doesn't work a nice warm bath can sometimes get things moving.
Comment from: Sarah, 25-34 Female (Caregiver)Published: October 28
Form my constipation I've tried eating more fruit and veg and drinking more fluids but have found this did not help that much until a friend recommended prune juice which does the trick! Be careful though, only have a little to begin with, the first time I tried it, I had a glass full and I ended up with watery stools!
Comment from: toxicnomore, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: October 24
I have suffered with severe chronic constipation since I was a child. It only got worse with age. Adding fiber, water and exercise and stress management helps, but does not do the trick. I have been to several doctors and had several tests and was told they could not help me. My fiance told me to see a Chinese medicine doctor because they helped his cousin a lot with his stomach problems, so I did. They really work for me. I boil up this concoction of twigs, bark and berries and drink a large glass full every night and have easy bowel movements the next morning, right on schedule. I am dependent on them though, and if I miss a dose, forget it, but no side affects and way better than being constipated and feeling toxic. Very affordable, but taste nasty so chase it with some juice. Also, they have capsules for less severe forms of constipation and they are easy to take traveling. Hope this helps!
Comment from: Chris M, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: September 25
Some years ago I had a series of small strokes requiring a week's stay in hospital. On leaving hospital I was constipated, but assumed that things would get back to normal once I was home. Nothing was further from the truth - I was prescribed a number of different medications, none of which were particularly successful. In a local herbs shop, I asked for advice, and was offered bicarbonate of magnesium. I take a full teaspoon every evening, in a fruit juice, and for the last four years have been having regular bowel movements. Though the consistency of my stools has changed dramatically, I no longer have that awful pain and crying fits when am trying to pass a stool that refuses to be passed. I know that if I take too much magnesium, my stool is liquid, so am careful not to take too much. I have been told it is perfectly safe for me to continue taking it for the rest of my life (though I would love confirmation of this) and recommend it to other sufferers. Something so simple, with no side effects (again, would love further confirmation of this).
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Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
Rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Rectal bleeding may be moderate to severe and most bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus. Common causes include anal fissures, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and more.
Hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the
rectum, usually caused by untreated constipation, but occasionally associated
with chronic diarrhea. If untreated, hemorrhoids can
worsen, protruding from the anus. Also known as piles.
Gas or "intestinal gas" means different things to different people. Everyone has gas and eliminates it by belching or farting (passing it through the rectum).
Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Diverticulitis symptoms include: abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Treatment methods include prescription medications, and in some cases, diverticulitis surgery.
Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the
rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain at the pituitary.
Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are
often subtle.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
An anal fissure is a small tear or cut in the skin lining of the anus. Pain and/or rectal bleeding during bowel movements are common symptoms of anal fissures. Treatment involves increasing liquid intake, using stool softeners and avoiding foods that may not be well-digested.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease which progressively injures the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, reflected by alterations of virtually every sensory or motor function in the body. The cause of MS is primarily unknown. There are different types of MS including relapsing-remitting MS, primary-progressive MS, and secondary-progressive MS. Symptoms of MS rang from mild to severe and examples include visual disturbances, muscle weakness, spasm, and fatigue. Decreased concentration, memory loss, and impaired judgment. Treatment for MS is generally with medications.
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder and is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. With anorexia, the drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. There are psychological and behavioral symptoms as well as physical symptoms of anorexia including: depression, social withdrawal, fatigue, food obsession, heart and gastrointestinal complications, kidney function, flaky skin, brittle nails, and tooth loss (this list is not exhaustive).
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common gastrointestinal disorder involving abnormal gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain,
bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea
and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and to wax and wane over the
years. Treatment options include medication and lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management to control symptoms. Also called spastic colitis, mucus colitis, nervous colon syndrome.
Stool color is generally brown. When stool color changes, often, an individual becomes concerned. The presence of the bilirubin in bile is generally responsible for stool color. Bilirubin concentration can vary bile color from light yellow to almost black in color. Changes in bilirubin can cause stool to turn green, gray, or clay-like in color. Intestinal bleeding may turn stool black, tarry, red, maroon, or smelly stool. Medication and food may also affect stool color.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria (at least 100,000 bacteria per ml of fluid) are present in the small intestine and the types of bacteria in the small intestine resemble more the bacteria of the colon than the small intestine. There are many conditions associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, to include: diabetes, scleroderma, Crohn's disease, and others. There is a striking similarity between the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and SIBO. It has been theorized that SIBO may be responsible for the symptoms of at least some patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms of SIBO include: excess gas, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that develops in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Symptoms include bone pain, weakness, extreme thirst, nausea, frequent urination, and broken bones. Treatment of multiple myeloma depends upon the staging and symptoms of the disease.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body, leading to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma is also referred to as systemic sclerosis, and the cause is unknown. Treatment of scleroderma is directed toward the individual features that are most troubling to the patient.
Huntington's disease is the result of degeneration of neurons in areas of the brain. Huntington's disease is an inherited disorder. Early symptoms include mood swings, apathy, depression, and anger uncharacteristic of the individual. Judgement, memory, and other cognitive functions may become impaired. Presymptomatic testing is available for individuals who have a family history of Huntington's disease. Treatment includes medication and therapy for symptoms.
Jet lag (desynchonosis) is a temporary disorder that results from travel across time zones. Symptoms include anxiety, constipation, headache, nausea, dehydration, diarrhea, confusion, sweating, irritability, and even memory loss.
Laxatives for treatment of constipation include over-the-counter preparations such as bulk-forming laxatives, stool softeners, lubricant laxatives, stimulant laxatives, saline laxatives, enemas and suppositories. Some over-the-counter laxatives are not recommended for patients with specific diseases or conditions. Some laxatives may have negative adverse effects if taken over long periods of time.
Hyperparathyroidism is a disorder of the parathyroid glands. There are two types of hyperparathyroidism, primary and secondary. When the parathyroid glands produce too much hormone, hyperparathyroidism is the resulting condition. Most cases of hyperparathyroidism have no evident cause. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, depression, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or confusion. Increased calcium and phosphorous excretion may cause kidney stones. The main treatment of hyperparathyroidism is parathyroidectomy.
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which calcium levels in the blood are elevated. Hypercalcemia is associated with other conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney failure, and elevated levels of vitamin D. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, kidney stones, to name a few. Treatment depends on the cause of hypercalcemia.
Patients with celiac disease are required to eat a gluten-free diet. Gluten is found in rye, barley, and wheat. Gluten damages the intestine in patients with celiac disease. Some mediations contain gluten, so careful monitoring of products consumed is imperative. Patients with celiac disease are also at risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. The information in this article contains both foods that contain gluten, and foods that do not contain gluten.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Urinary retention (inability to urinate) may be caused by nerve disease, spinal cord injury, prostate enlargement, infection, surgery, medication, bladder stone, constipation, cystocele, rectocele, or urethral stricture. Symptoms include discomfort and pain. Treatment depends upon the cause of urinary retention.
Hirschsprung's disease (Hirschsprung), is a disease of the nerve cells of of the large intestine. The primary symptom of Hirschsprung's disease is constipation. Hirschsprung's disease is diagnosed through barium enema, and treatment is surgery.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Abdominal adhesions (scar tissue) bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal organs and tissues. Symptoms of abdominal adhesions are pelvic or abdominal pain. Abdominal adhesions on the intestines can cause bowel obstruction, which is a medical emergency. Treatment for abdominal adhesions is generally surgery to cut the adhesions away from the internal tissues and organs. There is no way to prevent abdominal adhesions.
Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.
Chagas disease is an infection caused by the T. cruzi parasite. Symptoms of Chagas disease include rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and the Romaña sign. An ELISA test is used to diagnose Chagas disease. Treatment depends upon the phase of the disease and the patient's age.
Melanosis coli is a condition usually associated with
chronic laxative use in which dark pigment is deposited in
the lamina propria
(one of the lining layers) of the large intestine
(colon). The pigment deposition results in a characteristic dark brown to black
discoloration of the lining of the large intestine. This condition is sometimes called
pseudomelanosis coli because the pigment deposits consist of a pigment known as
lipofuscin and do not contain melanin as implied by the term "melanosis."
Lipofuscin is a cellular pigment that forms when cells are destroyed, often
called "wear and tear" pigment that can be found throughout the body.
The dark color of the intestinal lining may be uniform
or patterned, and the discoloration may be slight or very pronounced. The
intensity and pattern of the discoloration may even vary among different sites
in the colon of a patient. The condition may also be reversed upon
disc...
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My problems with constipation were medically related (NSAIDs, trazadone, etc.) Flax seed oil capsules work great for me. My mother, however, had a stroke. Flax seed oil helped a little, but not much. Lactulose was reasonably effective for her; however, lactulose also speeds up the need to go pee. (If you have had a stroke, rushing to the bathroom, well, takes way too long.) So the latest treatment I'm trying with her is magnesium citrate. I'm starting to do research on this. It does seem to be effective. I imagine it must be better than using laxatives long-term, but the medical info says not to use it long-term without consulting a doctor.
Related Reading: constipation | stroke