How to treat chronic constipation?

[ticmo]

I have chronic constipation. I had a colonoscopy done about 7 years ago. My gastroenterologist told me that my colon was clean and that I just had a lazy bowel. I was told to take a stool softner every night from now on. I am still taking stool softner, but sometimes I have bleeding  and burning in the rectum. I also on occasion gets constipated. I can't seem to lose weight, no matter how much I cut back on my eating, and I walk three to four days a week 3.2 miles each day. Is there anything I can do for my constipation, and is having blood on your tissue after having a bowel movement a sign that somthing seriously wrong?

[Morecambe]

There have been postings on Medhelp where a total colectomy has been suggested as a treatment of last resort for cases where constipation remained unaffected by each and every possible traditional remedy.  I am not suggesting that you rush into this - and certainly you should try a very high fibre diet as suggested by Calgal.  Include in your diet raw vegetables, raw fruit, preparations including organic oats and organic bran etc etc.

If nothing works and you wish to explore the total colectomy option then:-

a) take more professional advice
and
b) in order to assist with your decision, you may like to read my own experiences of a total colectomy which I posted on Medhelp in response to another Medhelp patient on:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

regards
Morecambe

[CalGal]

Blood in the fecal material should be checked out. It could be due to hemorrhoids, but unless you know that's the case have the issue checked out.

Along with the stool softener, did you also increase your soluble fiber and water intake?