Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Subject: Re: reoccuring problem
Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic Area: Stomach Conditions
Posted by HFHSM.D.-rf on September 27, 1998 at 21:49:28:
In Reply to: reoccuring problem posted by dar on September 20, 1998 at 21:22:46:


I'am a 36 year old female whos dealt with stomach problems since age 6, I was hospitalized for severe constipation. I'am now having upper stomach pain and bloating again. I've never been very regular with bowel movements, maybe once a week if i'am lucky. I can't tolerate laxatives so i use stool softners instead when needed. My last bout with diarehea was a week ago after taking stool softners for over a week. I was in the bathroom for over an hour with loose stool and some very hard stool which was very painful. I've had very severe gas ever since then and the odor is unbearable. I've been taking Axid for my pains which my dr perscribed before. It seem to have eased the pain after a week but i havent had a bowel movement since. I started taking a fiber laxative every nite but no results. My mother had a colostomy at my age and my husband thinks i should be tested also. What does this involve? And could her condition be hereditary. She has a permanent ostomy bag.


Dear DAR,
Although there are some causes of constipation that require surgery, they are very rare. I would suggest that you initiate therapy to regulate your bowel function. The initial and crucial step is to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Fiber is a bulk forming agent that will produce larger and softer stool that are easier to pass. Increasing fiber has several aspects. First, you should increase the amount of fiber in your diet by eating more salads, whole grain breadfs etc. Second, you should supplement the diet with fiber preparations such as Metamucil. Many patients have more frequent softer stoo, as a result of this regimen.

The abdominal pains may represent irritable bowel syndrome, but given your history, gastroparesis should be considered, Ask your doctor about ordering a gastric emptying study to assess gastric motor function.

This information is presented for educational purposes only. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical questions.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, fiber, gastroparesis
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