What Causes Difficulty In Passing Stools Along With Painful Evacuation Of Feces?

Posted on Tue, 1 Aug 2017

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

Tue, 1 Aug 2017 Answered on

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My brother failed to have a bowel movement last week for four days. Finally on Friday, with tremendous physical effort, he had the first of a series on the same day, which seemed to be a complete flushing out of his system. This was followed by two days without a bowel movement and a painful feeling below the sternum and in the kidney area. He has been eating normally, but has been experiencing very minimal bowel activity and urination. He drank a full bottle of magnesium citrate with water yesterday and it failed to produce a significant bowel movement. The least painful positionfor him seems to be standing erect. He's also experiencing a stiff neck. What could this be?

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs work up for constipation , anal fissure

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Difficulty passing stools with painful evacuation should be evaluated first for anal fissure then hemorrhoids. A complete set of studies need to be done to find the cause of stool passing problem, x ray defecography, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy , bowel transit studies need to be done. Modifying diet lifestyle with more fiber and fluids in it will help. He also needs renal functions assessment if he has a problem passing urine as well. Take him to ER if he has not passed stools for more than 2 days or he is in pain they will have a look and proceed. Laxatives can be given, to help him pass the stools.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar