Hard stools occur as a result of constipation. It occurs when there is a slow movement of food in the colon, and due to this, there is increased absorption of water in the colon. The other symptoms presenting with hard stools are abdominal pain, bleeding while passing stool, and straining to have a bowel movement. Hardening of stools can occur due to diet, medication, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), anxiety, toilet training anxiety, and pregnancy. Taking laxative medications, stool softeners, dietary changes, and more fluid intake with supplements help to treat it.
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My son is not defecating properly for about seven days. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor,My son is 3 years old, he has not been defecating properly for about seven days or more. But in these few days, he has defecated three times. The defecation is very hard. After the first three days, I gave him medicine from the pharmacy, a suppository, and Dilac medicine. I did a lot of... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Please give Laxolite syrup (polyethylene glycol- 20 ml of syrup + 20 ml of water) twice a day for two days followed by (15 ml of syrup + 15 ml of water) twice a day for two weeks along with plenty of water (0.2 gallons per day) for 10 days. Reduce intake of bread and... Read Full »
My daughter poops once in three days. Should I worry?
Query: Hi doctor, My daughter is 22 months old. She passes stools with a gap of three days. Is there anything to worry? Moreover, her stools have become hard. I can feel the pain when she passes stools. Please suggest. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I assume your daughter's age is 22 months. The child is getting less fiber. Water intake may be less. Not to worry, but her food and dietary habits need to change. I suggest: Give her more of a homemade diet, like vegetables, and soups more option. Water intake sho... Read Full »
What medications can I take for pain during bowel movements?
Query: Hello doctor, I had an anal fissure six months ago for which the doctor prescribed me Ciplox TZ and SN 15 Plus tablet six days course along with Duphalac Fiber. This cured the fissure and I was having no issues with the bowel movement. Just recently, I did have a slight swelling in the upper lining ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. From what you have mentioned, you have IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation) and hard stools. There is no need to take Ciplox TZ (Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole) and SN 15 Plus (Diclofenac and Serratiopeptidase) again. I suggest you drink plenty of fluid... Read Full »
I am having problems with bowel control. Please assist.
Query: Hello doctor, I have been facing issues with fecal incontinence. I am unable to control stools. I also have irregularity in passing stools. It is like, the moment I feel like going to the toilet, I get heavy pain inside my stomach and after which I am unable to control stool movement. There is a... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The condition which you have mentioned might be due to constipation. Constipation causes hard stool impaction and around which soft liquid stool percolates. Advice: Take syrup Piclin 5mL twice a day for 3 days. Also take Methylcellulose husk 3 spoons twice a day. Dr... Read Full »
My daughter has anal itching. Please suggest medications.
Query: Hello doctor, I noticed my daughter of 4 years and 5 months is itching in her ano. She told it was getting hard when she wanted to pass stools. I noticed a mild inflammation in her ano and a mild crack. Please suggest a cream or medicine for her. I have Sucral Ano Cream. Can I apply? Please help us. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns. I have seen the picture that you have attached (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There appears to be a cut over perianal region due to hard stools. In my opinion, I suggest the child should be given: Syrup Oflomac-M... Read Full »
My son has constipation. Is barium enema needed?
Query: Hi doctor, I have gotten two different opinions from two pediatricians about my 8 months old boy. One says my boy has Hirschsprung's disease, and the other says it is just constipation. The first doctor did a rectal exam, yielding no explosive stools, and he wants my son to get a barium enema. The ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. There seems to be a lot of confusion that has been created. See here are my valid points: A child with any chronic disease like HD (Hirschsprung's disease) will not be able to gain weight of 9.53 kg at just 8 months of age. HD is usually diagnosed quite soon after b... Read Full »
What is the reason for bright red blood in my stools?
Query: Hello doctor, I happened to pass a large, firm stool today. It hurt a bit and I was a little sore after it and the stool had bright red blood on the outside of it. I do have a small internal hemorrhoid that was spotted during a colonoscopy last year. Has the blood come from there, or is it a torn ve... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed your health query and seen the photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The blood may have come either from a rupture of the small blood vessels due to hard stools or it may have been from the hemorrhoids. When a hard stool passes dow... Read Full »
I defecate hard stools frequently. Is it colon cancer?
Query: Hello doctor, I defecate almost five times a day. My stool is hard most often. This caused me an anal fissure which I am currently recovering from. My diet is high in protein. I eat fruits and salad on daily basis. Is this normal? Could it be a sign of colon cancer? I am currently taking Daflon for ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your symptoms are unlikely to be due to colon cancer. Colon cancer can be present with variable symptoms such as constipation, vomiting, bleeding through anus and significant weight loss. Many people experience hard stools as part of irritable bowel syndrome. I su... Read Full »
I have been experiencing constipation for four days. Kindly help.
Query: I have been experiencing constipation for the past four days with hard stool and pressure in the rectum. I tried herbal tea and a fleet enema with minimal result, still minimal improvement. Currently taking Carvedilol, Lisinopril, and Levothyroxine medications. Kindly help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understood your concern. I suggest you take the following medications for 30 days: A capsule of Pantoprazol in the morning. Syrup containing milk of magnesia and liquid paraffin15 ml at night. I suggest you consult a specialist, talk with them, ... Read Full »
Can smoking cessation cause strained bowel movements?
Query: Hello doctor, My age is 39 years. I have quit smoking, cold turkey after smoking for almost 18 years. It is my 29th day of being smoke-free. Everything was going fine until last 7 to 10 days my bowel movement has been strainful. Few days I have seen very small sized hard stools and sometimes small s... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post, it is normal to have hard stools after quitting smoking for that you have to add a salad, do exercise, and take enough water. It is a temporary phenomenon which usually settles in three months till intestines adapt nicotine free blood. You h... Read Full »
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