HomeAnswersFamily PhysicianconstipationWhy am I not able to pass stool entirely?

I am not able to pass stool entirely. Please help.

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

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Published At November 28, 2018
Reviewed AtJune 23, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 32 years old, overweight (231 lbs, height 5 feet 7 inches). For the past week or so, I feel like I am not able to pass stool entirely. I always feel pressure like I want to pass stool, but when I sit on the pot, I cannot. It is not like I cannot pass stool. Usually, I feel there could be more. Additionally, when I burp I feel a little uncomfortable in the stomach and there was a very very slight pain on the left side of the stomach. Not every time that I burped, but sometimes. There is a lot of gas and I keep burping. I took Zantac and Unienzyme, as well as a liquid laxative Cremaffin. Also took Digene for 3 to 4 days.

Things are better and now when I burp I do not feel pain, most of the time, maybe once or twice a day. Also, the constant pressure that I have felt has decreased. I have looked after each stool and I never noticed any blood or anything like that in the shit. I have also not lost any weight off late and if anything, perhaps have gained a kilo in the last 2 to 3 weeks. However, even though things have slowly improved, I am not fully normal. Additionally, I am one big hypochondriac and this digestive issue is now starting to drive me nuts. Please advise.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Worrying about your GI tract will create stress which increases your cortisol levels and create further problems with your sugars, sleep, bowel movements in the future, so try not to worry. I advise you do not take any over the counter laxatives, especially if your bowels are returning to normal. You can also create further problems by taking all those things. I want you to increase your water intake to 6 to 8 glasses a day and do some type of exercising at least 3 to 4 times a week. This is the best way to make your bowels regular. This is why after surgery, doctors make sure patients are passing gas and getting up and walking.

The Probable causes

Lack of physical activity, diet, lack of water intake.

Investigations to be done

If not improved with lifestyle changes, H.pylori, TSH, CMP, CBC can be done.

Probable diagnosis

Constipation.

Treatment plan

Increase physical activity 3 to 4 times a week, increase water intake 6 to 8 glasses a day. Increase fiber intake, salads, green leafy vegetables, fruits.

Preventive measures

Avoid mint, caffeine, over the counter laxatives and stool softeners.

Regarding follow up

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Pleased to report that today bowel passed through rather well and the general feeling of a bloated stomach is greatly reduced to the point of almost feeling normal. However, there was something I had forgotten to mention in the previous question. I eat a lot of spicy food, pickles, chilis, and stuff like that. So after taking a dump, the anus burns a little bit. Then after a while, it stops. Anyways, when I was constipated, the first few days there was a definite burning feeling in the anus after passing the stool. Then, the burning feeling stopped and became an itch. Whenever I have passed the stool the past few days, I have felt this need to itch in the anus. Also, I am trying to take in more water and walk a bit like you said I should. In any case, the bowel movement today has been very very good and as I said, I no longer feel bloated in the stomach all the time, like I did till yesterday.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I am glad to hear you are feeling a little bit better. Yes, the spicy food will make you burp a lot, it lowers your esophageal sphincter tone in your esophagus and allows things to go up instead of down. That is why I said to avoid certain foods.

Treatment plan

Eliminate certain foods and lifestyles and drink plenty of water and exercise. You can try taking over the counter Omeprazole 20 mg once a day to see if this helps. For the anal itching apply OTC Hydrocortisone cream to the anus after each bowel movement. This will help. Also, do not wipe too hard.

Preventive measures

Avoid spicy food, caffeine, peppermint, smoking.

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

Dr. Madhan Kumar Madathupalayam Velusamy
Dr. Madhan Kumar Madathupalayam Velusamy

Surgical Gastroenterology

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