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What Causes Constipation After Quitting Smoking?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Oct 2014
Twitter Fri, 3 Oct 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 27 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : Hi I have been suffering from constipation for 1 year and a half following quitting smoking. I was prescribed a mixture of laxatives all of which lost effect after several weeks. I now use suppositories which again have aren't as successful anymore. I can't go without the meds but if I eat a normal meal I now get diarrhea. This also happens if I don't go for several days. I get severe bloating every day, abdominal pain mucus and sometimes blood in stool. Have had transit study, proctogram, sigmoidoscopy and anorectal manometry which came back clear but showed hemorrhoids enterocele and rectocele. Doctors still clueless as to what is wrong, any ideas would be greatfully appreciated.
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Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
IBS

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
To enumerate- stopped smoking > lead to constipation- laxatives/ suppositories, Constipation alternating with diarrhea ( on normal meal or if do not go for several days), Bloating, pain - mucus - blood; investigations normal except hemorrhoids, enterocele and rectocele. Clueless.

The possible diagnosis on the history you have provided is suggestive of Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ). There are few forms of IBS, and this can be one of them since this started with quitting of smoking.

Hemorrhoids are due to altered bowel habits.
Enterocele and rectocele at the age of 26 - very very rare... indicates muscular weakness at the perineum, causes to be found out.

Please discuss IBS with your next Doctor, start the treatment accordingly, request for colonoscopy and biopsy, CT scan of the abdomen. I hope you are not allergic to particular foods or beverages.

I hope this answer helps you and your Doctor to get the clue for further investigations and management.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19774 Questions

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What Causes Constipation After Quitting Smoking?

Brief Answer: IBS Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidate history. To enumerate- stopped smoking > lead to constipation- laxatives/ suppositories, Constipation alternating with diarrhea ( on normal meal or if do not go for several days), Bloating, pain - mucus - blood; investigations normal except hemorrhoids, enterocele and rectocele. Clueless. The possible diagnosis on the history you have provided is suggestive of Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ). There are few forms of IBS, and this can be one of them since this started with quitting of smoking. Hemorrhoids are due to altered bowel habits. Enterocele and rectocele at the age of 26 - very very rare... indicates muscular weakness at the perineum, causes to be found out. Please discuss IBS with your next Doctor, start the treatment accordingly, request for colonoscopy and biopsy, CT scan of the abdomen. I hope you are not allergic to particular foods or beverages. I hope this answer helps you and your Doctor to get the clue for further investigations and management.