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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Chronic Constipation Be Treated?

I am a male, 78 years old, 5 10 , 185 lbs and in good health. Over the past 6 months I have been experiencing constipation almost every day. I eat salads, fish, chicken, eggs, cheese (not that much), and some red meat, may once a week, sometimes less. I take the following medications each day at dinnertime: Tamsulosin Hcl Caps 0.4mg      1 Daily (Prostate) Finasteride 0.5mg Tab      1 Daily (Prostate) Triamterene W/Hctz 37.5/25 Tab 1 Daily (BP)      Lipitor 40mg Tab           1 Daily (Cholesterol) Timilol GFS Eye Drops      1 Daily (Glaucoma) Latanoprost Opth 2.5ml 1 Daily (Glaucoma) Aspirin low dose 81mg      1 Daily (Regimen) Multivitamin Men’s 50+ Adv      1 Daily (Regimen) Over the past several months I have been taking Dulcolax (1-2 per day) and this helps but it usually makes my bowels very loose. I go from constipated to very loose. I think the medications are probably causing the problem but I need them for high blood pressure, prostate, cholesterol, etc. Does anyone have a suggestion that might help with this problem? Thank you                          
Tue, 3 Oct 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello
Constipation is a common problem specially in elderly. However, I am a little bit worried about taking Dulcolax since at the long term it can make your bowels lazy and dependent on it to work. In stead I have a couple of advices to you.
First, drink a plenty of water daily.
Second, try to walk for at least half an hour daily (which also healthy for your whole body as well)
Third, try to eat food which is full of fibers like peas and most beans, including soybeans
•oats, rye and barley
•many fruits such as berries, plums, apples bananas and pears
•certain vegetables such as broccoli and carrots
•most root vegetables
•psyllium husk supplement products.

Try to follow those advices, I hope it could help you !
Regards
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How Can Chronic Constipation Be Treated?

Hello Constipation is a common problem specially in elderly. However, I am a little bit worried about taking Dulcolax since at the long term it can make your bowels lazy and dependent on it to work. In stead I have a couple of advices to you. First, drink a plenty of water daily. Second, try to walk for at least half an hour daily (which also healthy for your whole body as well) Third, try to eat food which is full of fibers like peas and most beans, including soybeans •oats, rye and barley •many fruits such as berries, plums, apples bananas and pears •certain vegetables such as broccoli and carrots •most root vegetables •psyllium husk supplement products. Try to follow those advices, I hope it could help you ! Regards