MedicineNet

Laxatives For Constipation Center - Eau Claire, WI

Eau Claire Gastroenterologist Doctors for Laxatives For Constipation

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Eau Claire *

Midelfort Clinic Gastroenterology
Gregory A Derfus
1221 Whipple St
Gastroenterology
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 838-6020

Midelfort Clinic Gastroenterology
Charles R Nordstrom
1221 Whipple St
Gastroenterology
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 838-6020

Midelfort Clinic Gastroenterology
Jaime Zighelboim
1221 Whipple St
Gastroenterology
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 838-6020

Gundersen Lutheran Whitehall WI
Frank J Aberger
18606 Ervin St
Whitehall, WI 54773
(715) 538-4355

Gundersen Lutheran Whitehall WI
Heather J Chial
18606 Ervin St
Whitehall, WI 54773
(715) 538-4355

Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Gregory L Cramer
700 West Ave S
Internal Medicine Specialists
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 791-9862

Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Robert D Shaffer
700 West Ave S
Internal Medicine Specialists
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 791-9862

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Jane E Kennedy
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
John P Kirchner
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Patricia A Kuzma-Sell
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Gary P Mayeux
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Christopher J Rall
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Michael E Ryan
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Camille F Torbey
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

New Richmond Clinic
Anthony C Hecht
551 Hospital Rd
New Richmond, WI 54017
(715) 246-6911

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-10
Eau Claire Triathlon
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Rice Lake
Throughout Rice Lake, Wisconsin
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Eau Claire
Throughout Eau Claire, Wisconsin
2012-06-23
Circle of Life 5K/10K
Lake City, Minnesota
2012-07-15
22nd Annual Manitou Monster Swim
New Auburn, Wisconsin
2012-08-12
2012 Rochester Eco Tri
Zumbro Falls, Minnesota
2012-08-25
CIA 10Mile & 5k Run
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
2012-09-08
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Eau Claire
Throughout Eau Claire, Wisconsin
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Rice Lake
Throughout Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Laxatives For Constipation

What is constipation?

Constipation is a condition that is characterized by infrequent bowel movements that are painful or difficult, or stools that are hard in consistency. Infrequent bowel movements alone are not a reliable indicator of constipation because bowel frequency can vary between three times a day to once a week among normal individuals. Therefore, hard stools that are difficult to pass or infrequent stools accompanied by abdominal pain, back pain, and abdominal bloating define important constipation.

What are the causes of constipation?

There are many causes of constipation including:

  • Diets low in fiber. Fiber is vegetable material that is resistant to digestion. It promotes soft stools by adding bulk to the stool and causing water to be retained in stool.
  • Side effects of medications such as narcotic pain killers, antidepressants, iron supplements, calcium channel blockers (a class of medications for high blood pressure), and certain types of antacids.
  • Narrowing or blockage of the large intestine (colon) due to colon cancer or advanced diverticulosis.
  • Ineffective contraction or spasm of the colon's muscles due to irritable bowel syndrome or other diseases of the colon's muscles.
  • Hormonal (endocrine) disturbances such as an under- active thyroid gland and diabetes mellitus with nerve damage.
  • Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurologic conditions.

Examples of common medications that can cause constipation:

  • Narcotic pain medications: codeine (Tylenol #3), oxycodone (Percocet), and guaifenesin/hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and others
  • Antidepressants: amitriptyline (Elavil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and imipramine (Tofranil)
  • Anticonvulsants: phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • Iron supplements
  • ...

Recommended Reading Related to Laxatives for Constipation

Melanosis Coli »

What is melanosis coli?

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...

Emergency Contact for Eau Claire

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Eau Claire Hospitals *

St Joseph's Hospital Chippewa Falls
2661 County Highway I
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715)723-1811

Sacred Heart Hospital
900 W Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715)839-4121

Luther Midelfort Hospital
1221 Whipple St
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715)838-3311

Luther Middlefort Oakridge
13025 8th St
Osseo, WI 54758
(715)597-3121

Our Lady of Victory Hospital
1120 Pine St
Stanley, WI 54768
(715)644-5571

Bloomer Medical Center
1501 Thompson St
Bloomer, WI 54724
(715)568-2000

Tri-County Memorial Hospital
18601 Lincoln St
Whitehall, WI 54773
(715)538-4361

Red Cedar Medical Center
2321 Stout Rd
Menomonie, WI 54751
(715)235-5531

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.