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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
bowel
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
bowel
by Elen__0__0, Mar 01, 1998 12:00AM
Posted By HFHSM.D.-rf on March 15, 1998 at 09:44:07:
In Reply to: bowel posted by Ellen on March 01, 1998 at 13:18:44:
: For 35 days, I have not had a normal bowel movement.
I have been advised to drink prune juice, eat prunes, increase bulk(psylium
/alfalfa) and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I eat small meals which
include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, grains, and nuts.
The prunes and bulking agents have had no effect.
I also have been prescribed and have used milk of magnesia and 2 fleet enemas over
this period.
The resultant feces are not accompanied by any effort or feeling of needing
to go. They are often diahrea-like or very soft and small.
I also have had one episode of diahrea that lasted 7 hours and left me feeling
very weak.
Is this irritable bowel syndrome?
Will my bowels eventually work on their own power?
Will using laxatives as I have been (about 20 days out of 35) increase the
likelihood of my colon continuing to not function?
In Reply to: bowel posted by Ellen on March 01, 1998 at 13:18:44:
: For 35 days, I have not had a normal bowel movement.
I have been advised to drink prune juice, eat prunes, increase bulk(psylium
/alfalfa) and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I eat small meals which
include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, grains, and nuts.
The prunes and bulking agents have had no effect.
I also have been prescribed and have used milk of magnesia and 2 fleet enemas over
this period.
The resultant feces are not accompanied by any effort or feeling of needing
to go. They are often diahrea-like or very soft and small.
I also have had one episode of diahrea that lasted 7 hours and left me feeling
very weak.
Is this irritable bowel syndrome?
Will my bowels eventually work on their own power?
Will using laxatives as I have been (about 20 days out of 35) increase the
likelihood of my colon continuing to not function?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHSM.D.-rf, Mar 01, 1998 12:00AM
_
Dear Ellen,
Although constipation is a frequent problem for patients seeing a gastroenterologist, your symptoms are more severe than most. I interpret your descritpion of your bowel pattern to indicate that you are passing stool but that the stool are now different than previously.
You do not provide information regarding your previous bowel pattern (i.e. before the last 35 days)nor do you provide information regarding concurrent illnesses or medications that you take. This data is important because it directs the physician in the work-up of the problem.
There are many possible causes for your constipation. You should be evaluated by your physician to exclude conditions such as hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Sometimes there is a problem with the nerves and/or muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. This diagnosis is best made by a gastroenterologist. Finally, some patients with prolonged constipation have a psychosocial cause for the problem. This last explanation should only be accepted after organic causes have been excluded.
You ask whether your symptoms could be a manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome. Before making the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, a search for other causes must be done , as stated above. I do not know if your bowels will ever function on their own power. If a treatable cause is identified for your symptom, the possibility of this outcome is increased. You should have a bowel regimen to facilitate defecation while your physician searches for the underlying cause for your constipation. If you require laxatives, I would favor natural fiber, osmotic agents such as lactulose and bulking agents. I do not routinely use agents such as senna.
Prolonged use of laxatives can increase the liklihood of dependence on these agents although the agents mentioned above are the least likely to cause permanent dependency.
Best of luck.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be
considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you
have a question pertaining to your health.
If you are in the Detroit area or would like to be seen at our institution, please call
1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians Office and make an appointment to be seen with Dr.
Ronald Fogel of the Division of Gastroenterology, one of our experts in the treatment of intestinal
diseases.
HFHSM.D.-rf
0.3
keywords; constipation, laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, visceral myopathy/neuropathy
Thank you
Dear Ellen,
Although constipation is a frequent problem for patients seeing a gastroenterologist, your symptoms are more severe than most. I interpret your descritpion of your bowel pattern to indicate that you are passing stool but that the stool are now different than previously.
You do not provide information regarding your previous bowel pattern (i.e. before the last 35 days)nor do you provide information regarding concurrent illnesses or medications that you take. This data is important because it directs the physician in the work-up of the problem.
There are many possible causes for your constipation. You should be evaluated by your physician to exclude conditions such as hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Sometimes there is a problem with the nerves and/or muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. This diagnosis is best made by a gastroenterologist. Finally, some patients with prolonged constipation have a psychosocial cause for the problem. This last explanation should only be accepted after organic causes have been excluded.
You ask whether your symptoms could be a manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome. Before making the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, a search for other causes must be done , as stated above. I do not know if your bowels will ever function on their own power. If a treatable cause is identified for your symptom, the possibility of this outcome is increased. You should have a bowel regimen to facilitate defecation while your physician searches for the underlying cause for your constipation. If you require laxatives, I would favor natural fiber, osmotic agents such as lactulose and bulking agents. I do not routinely use agents such as senna.
Prolonged use of laxatives can increase the liklihood of dependence on these agents although the agents mentioned above are the least likely to cause permanent dependency.
Best of luck.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be
considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you
have a question pertaining to your health.
If you are in the Detroit area or would like to be seen at our institution, please call
1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians Office and make an appointment to be seen with Dr.
Ronald Fogel of the Division of Gastroenterology, one of our experts in the treatment of intestinal
diseases.
HFHSM.D.-rf
0.3
keywords; constipation, laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, visceral myopathy/neuropathy
Thank you
