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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Lower Back Pain, Constipation After Accident. Using Stool Softeners, Magnesium Citrate. Cure?

I was in a car accident a week ago and felt like I had a light case of whiplash and lower back pain. I have felt extreme pressure in my bowels since accident. Had a CT scan a couple of days ago and I am severely backed up. I've spent the past few days trying to ease constipation with stool softener and magnesium citrate. I don't know what my next move should be? I've already spent a lot of money with very little answers. Could this be related to the car accident in anyway. How can I determine that?
Fri, 18 Oct 2013
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Yes, your constipation can be caused by recent accident. Due to sudden acceleration during the accident your intestines could get mildly injured. This causes its swollenness and can disturb in normal function. And sometimes it needs to take some time (like a week) for the intestines to start work normally.
However your constipation can be also caused by bad diet, medicines (ca-blockers, antidepressants), hypothyroidism, chronic bowels infection or even colon cancer (it is possible if you are older than 50).

I suggest you to start with diet change (increase fiber rich products and mineral water intake) and probiotic supplementation. You can also ask your doctor about Metoclopramidum.
If this wont help, you should have stool tests and thyroid tests. Next should be colonoscopy.

Hope this will help.
Regards.
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Lower Back Pain, Constipation After Accident. Using Stool Softeners, Magnesium Citrate. Cure?

Hello! Thank you for the query. Yes, your constipation can be caused by recent accident. Due to sudden acceleration during the accident your intestines could get mildly injured. This causes its swollenness and can disturb in normal function. And sometimes it needs to take some time (like a week) for the intestines to start work normally. However your constipation can be also caused by bad diet, medicines (ca-blockers, antidepressants), hypothyroidism, chronic bowels infection or even colon cancer (it is possible if you are older than 50). I suggest you to start with diet change (increase fiber rich products and mineral water intake) and probiotic supplementation. You can also ask your doctor about Metoclopramidum. If this wont help, you should have stool tests and thyroid tests. Next should be colonoscopy. Hope this will help. Regards.