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Laxatives For Constipation Center - San Angelo, TX

San Angelo 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 San Angelo *

Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology
Edward J Artnak
120 E Beauregard Ave
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 481-2274

Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology
Stephen W Coates
4450 Sunset Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 481-2277

Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology
Eugene Stokes
4450 Sunset Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 481-2277

West Texas Medical Associates
Robert J Danbert
3605 Executive Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 949-9555

West Texas Medical Associates
Bruce R Heare
3605 Executive Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 949-9555

Sandip V Mathur MD
Sandip V Mathur
6300 Regional Plaza
STE 820
Abilene, TX 79606
(325) 692-3777

Yogeshkum Patel MD
Yogeshkum Patel
6200 Regional Plz
STE STE 1675
Abilene, TX 79606
(325) 795-2100

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
William C Haynes
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
Steve K Johnson
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
Sivakolunthunathan Pathmanathan
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
Gary D Roark
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

San Angelo, Texas

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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 San Angelo

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby San Angelo Hospitals *

Shannon Medical Center Memorial Campus
120 E Harris St
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325)653-6741

Shannon Medical Center St John's Campus
2018 Pulliam St
San Angelo, TX 76905
(325)659-7100

San Angelo Community Medical Center
3501 Knickerbocker Rd
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325)949-9511

Ballinger Memorial Hospital
608 Ave B
Ballinger, TX 76821
(325)365-2531

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