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Constipation, Insulin Resistant, Edema In The Legs, Used Colon Cleansers And Laxatives
Posted on
Tue, 27 Sep 2011
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 27 Sep 2011
Answered on
Thu, 7 Jun 2012
Last reviewed on
Question : I am 30years old and i only use the bathroom once a week and when i do it hurts so bad! My stools are long and soft looking! I have tried everything and nothing helps me go to the bathroom! I used colon cleansers, laxitives, and i even juiced for 30 days and still no luck! I was wondering what it could be and how to fix it? thanks! I have had this problem for almost my whole adult life! It got worse after i had my first child 5years ago! It is a possibility i have hypothyroidism, and i am insulin restant!! I have really bad edema all the time in my legs when i dont consume alot of water! I dont drink sodas! I am on a mostly organic lifestyle now! I cant loose weight for nothing!
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
Are you having any menstrual disturbance?
Do you have any blood being passed in stools?
Any heartburn and gas formation?
Have you ever had jaundice?
Any abdominal pain which gets relieved after passing stools?
How is your mood during the day, do you experience any feelings of depression and lack of energy most of the time?
Your description is definitely suggestive of constipation. Usually in most cases dietary factors are to blame along with lifestyle. A diet that is poor in fibres / water / bulk forming substances will invariably cause constipation. Organic diet are known for fibre contents. Continue with them. In addition you need to eat a diet with less fat, oil as much as possible. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and XXXXXXX leafy vegetables. Eat chicken and lean meat, pulses, cereals for good protein source.
Good hydration also is important. Drink enough water, atleast 6-8 glasses a day.
You also need to exercise daily by brisk walking for 40 minutes.
Hypothyroidism can cause constipation. Blood tests to check thyroid hormones / TSH will help in diagnosing hypothyroidism. You may get the test done underguidance of your primary physician.
Insulin resistance can be associated with high blood cholesterol, so please get checked for this as well.
Regarding the oedema, there could be many causes like hypothyroidism, heart and kidney problems, low protein in the blood etc. You will need a thorough evaluation to find out. Graded compression stalkings and lower limbs elevation over a pillow while lying down will help in reducing oedema.
If you are experiencing pain in the anus while passing stools, it could be an anal fissure due to constipation which will make it harder to pass stools as well. Do let your Doctor do an anal exam to find out.
Do get a thorough clinical evaluation and required investigations like a thyroid profile, fasting and post-prandial blood sugar, kidney and liver function tests, stool test, ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis, doppler study of the arteries and veins of the leg to spot a possible varicose vein or other disorders etc.
Avoid taking laxatives and bowel washed frequently as they can cause electrolyte imbalance and also laxative abuse can add to weight gain in the long run.
You may take 2 tablespoons of Ispaghulla husk everyday to aid in better passage of stools. You may also take Cremaffin syrup under medical supervision for aiding in soft stool passage.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Thanks for the query.
Are you having any menstrual disturbance?
Do you have any blood being passed in stools?
Any heartburn and gas formation?
Have you ever had jaundice?
Any abdominal pain which gets relieved after passing stools?
How is your mood during the day, do you experience any feelings of depression and lack of energy most of the time?
Your description is definitely suggestive of constipation. Usually in most cases dietary factors are to blame along with lifestyle. A diet that is poor in fibres / water / bulk forming substances will invariably cause constipation. Organic diet are known for fibre contents. Continue with them. In addition you need to eat a diet with less fat, oil as much as possible. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and XXXXXXX leafy vegetables. Eat chicken and lean meat, pulses, cereals for good protein source.
Good hydration also is important. Drink enough water, atleast 6-8 glasses a day.
You also need to exercise daily by brisk walking for 40 minutes.
Hypothyroidism can cause constipation. Blood tests to check thyroid hormones / TSH will help in diagnosing hypothyroidism. You may get the test done underguidance of your primary physician.
Insulin resistance can be associated with high blood cholesterol, so please get checked for this as well.
Regarding the oedema, there could be many causes like hypothyroidism, heart and kidney problems, low protein in the blood etc. You will need a thorough evaluation to find out. Graded compression stalkings and lower limbs elevation over a pillow while lying down will help in reducing oedema.
If you are experiencing pain in the anus while passing stools, it could be an anal fissure due to constipation which will make it harder to pass stools as well. Do let your Doctor do an anal exam to find out.
Do get a thorough clinical evaluation and required investigations like a thyroid profile, fasting and post-prandial blood sugar, kidney and liver function tests, stool test, ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis, doppler study of the arteries and veins of the leg to spot a possible varicose vein or other disorders etc.
Avoid taking laxatives and bowel washed frequently as they can cause electrolyte imbalance and also laxative abuse can add to weight gain in the long run.
You may take 2 tablespoons of Ispaghulla husk everyday to aid in better passage of stools. You may also take Cremaffin syrup under medical supervision for aiding in soft stool passage.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Are you having any menstrual disturbance? No not really! i had my tubes tied 1yr ago! My period get lighter each month!
Do you have any blood being passed in stools? No blood
Any heartburn and gas formation? I have had heartburn ever since i had my first
child 5years ago! I have gas alot!
Have you ever had jaundice? i did as a baby! I was 2months early!
Any abdominal pain which gets relieved after passing stools? Yes i feel as if i have to breath like labor and then when they pass the pain goes away!
How is your mood during the day, do you experience any feelings of depression and lack of energy most of the time?
I lack energy alot! Mostly like after 12pm unless i have coffee or take a nap!
While i juiced and eat only veggies and fruit for the 30 days i felt so much better but the bathroom issue never was gone! That supprised me!
Do you have any blood being passed in stools? No blood
Any heartburn and gas formation? I have had heartburn ever since i had my first
child 5years ago! I have gas alot!
Have you ever had jaundice? i did as a baby! I was 2months early!
Any abdominal pain which gets relieved after passing stools? Yes i feel as if i have to breath like labor and then when they pass the pain goes away!
How is your mood during the day, do you experience any feelings of depression and lack of energy most of the time?
I lack energy alot! Mostly like after 12pm unless i have coffee or take a nap!
While i juiced and eat only veggies and fruit for the 30 days i felt so much better but the bathroom issue never was gone! That supprised me!
Hi and thanks again
It appears that you have digestion problem along with constipation too.
Since you experience relief of pain on passing stool it could point to the possibility of gas being accumulated which is released while passing stool.
Regarding your periods getting lighter, it could point to possible hormone disorder which you should get checked up by your Gynaecologist. Tubes being tied off is not the cause for light periods. You need to rule out ovarian cysts as well.
According to your history and psychological factors involved, it's possible you could be having 'irritable bowel syndrome'. Sometimes it can be associated with constipation predominantly more than diarrhoea. Also there is abdominal distention, gas formation and abdominal pain which is aggravated during the middle of the menstrual cycle and is relieved on passing stool. Also associated will be emotional and psychiatric problem like possible anxiety and depression as well.
You will need to avoid high carbohydrate diet, spicy food, oily and fatty food as this can aggravate the problem. Drink plenty of water. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and XXXXXXX leafy vegetables. You may have high protein diet as well like cereals, pulses, chicken, lean meat. You will need to exercise daily by 40 minutes brisk walking which will do wonders to your health. Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.
If you have anxiety, depressive feelings and not getting proper sleep, you will need to consult with a competent Psychiatrist to help you manage this situation with possible medication and behavior therapy.
Hope this helps.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
It appears that you have digestion problem along with constipation too.
Since you experience relief of pain on passing stool it could point to the possibility of gas being accumulated which is released while passing stool.
Regarding your periods getting lighter, it could point to possible hormone disorder which you should get checked up by your Gynaecologist. Tubes being tied off is not the cause for light periods. You need to rule out ovarian cysts as well.
According to your history and psychological factors involved, it's possible you could be having 'irritable bowel syndrome'. Sometimes it can be associated with constipation predominantly more than diarrhoea. Also there is abdominal distention, gas formation and abdominal pain which is aggravated during the middle of the menstrual cycle and is relieved on passing stool. Also associated will be emotional and psychiatric problem like possible anxiety and depression as well.
You will need to avoid high carbohydrate diet, spicy food, oily and fatty food as this can aggravate the problem. Drink plenty of water. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and XXXXXXX leafy vegetables. You may have high protein diet as well like cereals, pulses, chicken, lean meat. You will need to exercise daily by 40 minutes brisk walking which will do wonders to your health. Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.
If you have anxiety, depressive feelings and not getting proper sleep, you will need to consult with a competent Psychiatrist to help you manage this situation with possible medication and behavior therapy.
Hope this helps.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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