Suggest Treatment For Lower Back Pain And Flatulence

Posted on Sun, 10 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 10 May 2015 Answered on

Mon, 1 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 69 year old male in excellent health. During a week long business trip I was constipated and experienced pain in my lower back. I inserted 1 Dulcalax suppository for 3 successive days and noticed immediate relief after expelling gas and some stools, but not in an amount commensurate with the amount of food I consumed. One week later, and no longer using the Dulcalax, I am not constipated but noticed that my stools were much narrower in diameter and softer than normal. Does this possibly indicate a growth in my intestine that restricts the size of the stools?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of colon cancer should be ruled out

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

The history of constipation and change in both caliber and consistency of stool leads to suspicion of colorectal cancer which should be ruled out primarily before other causes are considered. Stool for occult blood and Digital rectal examination should be followed by colonoscopy with biopsy of suspected lesions like adenomatous colon polyps. Please consult a gastroenterologist in this regard to discuss these options.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj