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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Constipation Despite Taking High Fibre Food?

I haven t pooped in about 5 days now. I workout almost every day, drink a lot of fluids, and eat a steady diet of fiber. Over the last couple of days, I ve increased my fiber intake, eaten prunes, and drank some apple juice, but still haven t gone. I feel bloated, but don t have any pain. This has happened before and when I took a laxative, I got sick. And the doctor s office is closed for the next two days...what should I do?
Wed, 25 Sep 2024
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Severe constipation despite taking high-fiber food may be caused by dehydration. With a high-fiber diet, dehydration can occur as fiber absorbs more water which in turn cause dehydration and leads to constipation. As you are already doing regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, and taking high fiber diet.

I would suggest you to be more mindful on few factors like drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day, avoid coffee/tea particularly on empty stomach, avoid lying down immediately after eating, you can also consume butter milk/coconut water, avoid oily and fat rich foods, eat frequent and small meals (5-6 meals per day) and avoid large meals, take one banana in the morning. Also limit your fiber intake.

To reduce bloating you can take Tab. Pantoprazole 40mg once a day early in the morning on empty stomach. But if the symptoms are still persisting, I would suggest you to visit health care provider.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thanks.
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What Causes Severe Constipation Despite Taking High Fibre Food?

Hi, Severe constipation despite taking high-fiber food may be caused by dehydration. With a high-fiber diet, dehydration can occur as fiber absorbs more water which in turn cause dehydration and leads to constipation. As you are already doing regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, and taking high fiber diet. I would suggest you to be more mindful on few factors like drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day, avoid coffee/tea particularly on empty stomach, avoid lying down immediately after eating, you can also consume butter milk/coconut water, avoid oily and fat rich foods, eat frequent and small meals (5-6 meals per day) and avoid large meals, take one banana in the morning. Also limit your fiber intake. To reduce bloating you can take Tab. Pantoprazole 40mg once a day early in the morning on empty stomach. But if the symptoms are still persisting, I would suggest you to visit health care provider. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Thanks.