Constipation

[tomhb]

Hi there.

I have been constipated for almost a week now and I don't know why.  I eat plenty fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water.  I also have cereal twice a day so I doubt I'm low on fibre.  My stomach rumbles sometimes also.

Any ideas?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Constipation can be caused by the slow passage of digesting food through any part of the intestine. More than 95% of the time, however, the slowing occurs in the colon.

Other causes are suppression of the urge to defecate,diet low in fiber, over-use of stimulant laxatives (e.g., senna, castor oil, and certain herbs), hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism(by raising the calcium levels in the blood), intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Hirschsprung's disease, Chagas disease,colon inertia(nerves and/or muscles of the colon do not work normally) and pelvic floor dysfunction(the muscles of the lower pelvis that surround the rectum (the pelvic floor muscles) do not work normally).

Increase the fiber amount in your diet. The best natural sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.If still the symptoms persist then pls consult a gastroenterologist and discuss these possibilities.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[tomhb]

Well, I have recently taken medication for a candida infection of the mouth (an oral-thrush type thing), but the side effects of don't mention constipation on the leaflet.  Besides, it started after I stopped taking the medication.
I have also noticed undigested food in my stools, could it be a gut thing?  The earliest I can make an appointment to see a GP, is Wednesday, so I guess I'll have to go get some form of laxative until then :( .

Thanks for the reply.