Can taking antibiotics cause gastrointestinal issues?

Question

Hi doctor,

I took an antibiotic a year and a half ago, and I had digestive issues. I crave sugar often and mostly eat carbohydrates like bread and chocolate. I recently started to have green smoothies that had two big handfuls of spinach in them with protein powder every morning for four or five days plus eating regular meals, some being salads and some being more protein-based. It has been about a week since I started this, and I feel like I have not fully gone to the bathroom since I feel somewhat of a pain in my stomach, and I wake up feeling like I have a fever, and I am just afraid and that I am very constipated. Constipation was one of my main issues past year.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you had a digestive problem, and you took antibiotics for one and a half years. That antibiotic's name is not mentioned here. Now you have been suffering from constipation for one and half years and for the seven days it has become very severe. Firstly exact causes should be found out, and then we should proceed with the treatment. The causes of constipation vary, such as dehydration or eating foods with too little fiber. Again more serious causes can be a result of stress, hormonal changes, spinal injuries, muscle problems, carcinoma, and other structural problems affecting the digestive tract. You should try the following quick treatment to make your moves.

1) Take fiber supplements like Calcium polycarbophil (Fibercon), Psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl), Methylcellulose, etc.

2) Eat a serving of high fiber food like oats, whole grain bread or cereal, fibrous veggies and fruits, rice and beans, etc.

3) Proper dehydration, typically at least eight glasses of clear liquid per day, is necessary for normal bowel movement.

4) Take a laxative stimulant which are designed to force a bowel movement by squeezing the intestines like Bisacodyl (Dulcolax, Ducodyl), Senna-sennosides (Senokot), etc.

5) Take an osmotic laxative which is designed to help move fluids through the colon like Magnesium hydroxide (Phillips Milk of Magnesia), Polyethylene glycol (Miralax), Lactulose (Kristalose), etc.

6) Try a lubricant laxative such as mineral oil add a slick coat to your intestine's walls, allowing stool to move through your colon and out of your body more easily.

7) Use a stool softener such as Docusate sodium (Colace) or Ducosate calcium (Surfak), which can moisten the stool by pulling water from the intestine.

8) Try an enema include Sodium phosphate (Fleet), Soapsuds, Tape water enemas, etc.

9) Rectal suppositories like Glycerin, bisacodyl help encourage bowel movements by softening the stool.

10) Try to perform light exercise regularly, and try colonic massage.

11) You should undergo MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine, a thyroid test, CBC (complete blood count), etc., to find out the causes responsible for your chronic constipation.

Please inform me after taking the above-mentioned measures and undergoing investigations, and then I will be able to treat you further.