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Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation
Posted on
Mon, 14 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 14 Sep 2015
Answered on
Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : 61 year old woman in Cabo San XXXXXXX Mexico on vacation from Ohio. Very constipated for 4 days last week. Took a couple Dulcolax (1 every 12 hours for a total of 2 days). Concerned that now stool are very skinny about the thickness of a finger. Is this normal? I understand that Dulcolax softens stool but are stringy stools a normal result? Also, how long should this last before resuming normal bowel movements?
Brief Answer:
No worries, not abnormal. Advice exercise, more water and fruits
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
It is not so abnormal to experience this, not only with this drug, but with other laxatives.
One another thing that requires understanding with regards to stool size and consistence is the type of food eaten and the quantity eaten. Laxatives could produce this effect from the start, but as time goes on, food proper diets the stool consistency changes.
Associating laxatives as such with exercise, enough water (over 2.5 litres a day) and fruits produces rapid and more exciting results.
It is not abnormal, it is observed generally in persons who eat very less, eat less fibre and less fruits. generally, things get back to normal in a week or two for persons who take these drugs for a longer period of time.
Kind regards,
DR Bain
No worries, not abnormal. Advice exercise, more water and fruits
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
It is not so abnormal to experience this, not only with this drug, but with other laxatives.
One another thing that requires understanding with regards to stool size and consistence is the type of food eaten and the quantity eaten. Laxatives could produce this effect from the start, but as time goes on, food proper diets the stool consistency changes.
Associating laxatives as such with exercise, enough water (over 2.5 litres a day) and fruits produces rapid and more exciting results.
It is not abnormal, it is observed generally in persons who eat very less, eat less fibre and less fruits. generally, things get back to normal in a week or two for persons who take these drugs for a longer period of time.
Kind regards,
DR Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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