I have Colitis, could my daughter?

I have had problems with my guts, I was constipated a lot as a child and in my early 20's had infectious ulcerative colitis and have really suffered with colitis on and off ever since. I had all kinds of tests but when I had a barium enima done the doctor said I had an incredibly long colon, almost three times longer than average, which could contibute to my stools becoming overly dry and therefore constipation. Could this be heriditory? Apparently my mother and her father also had a long history of gut problems too. My daughter only has a bowel movement once every 2 - 3 weeks and when she does it's HUGE!! When I say huge , I mean at least 5 inches in diameter, sometimes nealy a foot long. I have told her she is not alowed to flush the toilet because it will definatly block it and I have to take a wire hanger and cut the poop up! And it's HARD and DARK almost black and REALLY stinky.  When she was two she had gastroenteritis and for a few years after that she had diarrhea and couldn't have dairy products at all! As she got older her system seemed to recover and she was able to have milk, cheese and yogurt again but having had her diet restricted for so long she became a very picky eater. Now its almost impossible to get her to change her eating habits. She eats reasonably well, fruit, tuna, chicken and occasionally beef but only small amounts and she really 'refuses to eat vegetables. Given the choice between trying something new or eating veg with her meal OR missing a meal, she would just not eat. She looks healthy, has fantastic hair and strong nails, is tall and slender and has good skin.
How can I help spare my daughter from this uncompfortable probem?

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Long colon otherwise called as dolichocolon is one of the causes of constipation.
It is not hereditary.
High fiber diet/supplements along with plenty of fluids is very important.
================================================================
The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.