HomeAnswersMedical GastroenterologyconstipationI have been having trouble passing stools recently. Kindly help.

How to make bowel movement easier without putting too much effort?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 9, 2023
Reviewed AtMay 9, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been having trouble pooping recently. Is there a way to make pooping easy without having to put in that much effort?

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query.

I understand your concern. I have a few questions for you.

  1. After straining while passing stools, stools are hard or soft when it comes out?
  2. Have you ever noticed blood or black-colored stools?
  3. Any unintentional weight loss?
  4. Family history of gut diseases?
  5. Inflammation bowel disease, tuberculous, or cancer?
  6. Do you have a prior history of any surgery?
  7. The total duration of symptoms?

I hope this ha helped you. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My answers to your questions are:

  1. My stools are soft.
  2. No blood or black-colored stools.
  3. No unintentional weight loss although I have been gaining weight and losing weight in the past couple of years.
  4. I do not know the answer to this one but I know my dad and grandma have problems with constipation, my dad takes ongoing medicine and he is fine with it.
  5. No surgeries in the past.
  6. It's been 1 month since the symptoms started.

Can you reassure me that a test like a colonoscopy would not be needed? And if I take medication like stool softeners long-term would I be okay with this?

Answered by Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You do not have alarming features like bleeding, weight loss, or a family history of cancer, so relax, no need for a colonoscopy at this age. Duration of symptoms is less, and that is not a chronic issue, so you can use Psyllium husk, a high-fiber diet, plenty of water, and no long-term side effects as such. Most important, do not be that much anxious.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I do not want a colonoscopy at this age or when I get older because of this issue hopefully.

Answered by Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You do not need a colonoscopy for your short-duration symptoms, in absence of alarming features as I explained above. You can continue to take a high-fiber diet and psyllium, I would recommend switching one laxative with another, intermittently so that your body should not be habitual of one. Laxatives can soften your stools and they should be passed with little effort, meanwhile, avoid stress and anxiety related to this, because if you will think more, there will be more constipation, this is the feature of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C).

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

What about the long duration of symptoms?

What do you mean switch one laxative with the other?

I have been taking laxatives for a week or two and the bowl is passing with lots of effort, not with little effort. What do I do?

Answered by Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

For more than six months or even years

Yes, after 2 to 4 weeks, you can switch laxatives, so you should not be habitual of one specific type.

Increase the dose of laxatives, if still no improvement, I would recommend getting some basic blood tests like a complete blood profile and thyroid profile and a simple stool detailed report to check stool samples, if is there any element of infection.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

This issue you said I do not need to worry about does that mean I will never need colonoscopy for life? If I continue to take laxatives?

Answered by Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

For any individual including me, screening colonoscopy is recommended at the age of 45 to 50 years, but that will be the choice of the person whether he would go for it or not. In your case, considering your current history, without any alarming features, you do not need a colonoscopy. You can go for certain investigations as I suggested, if you feel changing laxatives or increasing the dose is not helping you out.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ghulam Fareed
Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Medical Gastroenterology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Medical Gastroenterology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy