I have chronic constipation and polyps were identified in colonoscopy. Kindly help.

Question

Hello doctor,

I am concerned about my health. I am all the time constipated, which is causing bleeding, and lately quite excessive. I have a healthy lifestyle, and a personalized dietician for my diet. I eat a lot of fiber and wholegrain foods, and I do not eat processed food. I am drinking plenty of water, and I do exercise four to five times a week. So, I am doing everything to move my bowel, but nothing is working. When I called my GP, they just told me to keep taking laxatives, and they prescribed me a cream to heal the cuts of my back passage. I am 22 years old, and I already had four colonoscopies where they found polyps is there. I know that taking laxatives will not help me forever, and I do not want to get to that point where my body will be dependent on laxatives all the time, and I will not be able to go to the toilet by myself. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. As you mentioned, polyps were found in the colonoscopies. This is the reason for your bowel irregularities. Has your doctor confirmed any diagnosis through all these check-ups?

There is a need for additional diagnostic tests to understand the pathology of the polyps. Do you have any family history of similar symptoms? Constipation is one of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disorder. This usually happens due to obstruction or absence of peristalsis. There are a lot of factors that cause this.

I suggest, follow your doctor’s advice regarding the treatment. Make sure you consume food that does not cause constipation. As you said, you consume fiber-rich food that will improve your bowel movements. To avoid mucosal injury, laxatives need to be used as per the doctor’s advice. Lifestyle modifications will help in the long run. You have started it already, so that is a good thing.

Consulting a Gastroenterologist will be the next best thing. There is a need to exclude some malignant causes. Once a proper diagnosis is made, your doctor will be able to guide you with appropriate management. The treatment will be symptomatic mostly.

I hope this helps.

I have chronic constipation and polyps were identified in colonoscopy. Kindly help.

Chronic Constipation and Colon Polyps Prep and Recovery Guide