A stool softener is also called an emollient laxative. It helps to soften the stool, and it is a good option to treat constipation. Docusate sodium is used as a stool softener capsule that helps in bowel movements, and it is used in persons who should avoid straining during bowel movements.
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I have constipation, and I have tried various medications and measures. Please help.
Query: Hi doctor,I have constipation, and I have tried magnesium citrate, milk of magnesia, prune juice, and softeners for five days. I took lots of water, drinking at least a gallon of water for seven days. Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I would be happy to assist you with your query.I understand you are suffering from constipation and have tried various medications for the past five days and drinking plenty of fluids. The probable cause of your condition is constipation. No investigations are needed. Co... Read Full »
I doubled the dose of my stool softener. Should I be worried?
Query: Hello doctor, It started three weeks ago. My stool was hard to push out, and only very little was coming out at a time since I changed my diet. Then my stool became very wet, soft, and easy to come out. Then I started Benefiber, which started making me constipated, so I stopped and started taking M... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The thin and wet stools are secondary to the use of the MiraLAX (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) powder. This is a bulk laxative, meaning it absorbs lots of water within the intestine and causes liquid quality stools. You did not mention how much Miralax you have taken. Ta... Read Full »
I have applied more Lignocaine gel than advised on my kid. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, My 2-year-old son has hard motions. He has just had his circumcision surgery. My friends advised me to apply Lignocaine Hydrochloride gel between his buttocks. By mistake, I applied more. I am very much worried. I hope it is not harmful. Please advice. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Lignocaine (Lidocaine Topical) gel is a local anesthetic so even if you have applied more there is nothing to worry. If he is having constipation, I suggest you give him syrup Looz (Lactulose) twice daily. This is a stool softener and you can give him until his stool... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor,I took Docusate sodium because my stool was hard and it had been a week since my last movement. Due to taking two within a three-day period, I do not believe I had enough liquids in my body because I threw up and had diarrhea and extreme stomach pain. After figuring out what had happene... Read Full »
Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I read your query and understand your concern. It appears to be an acidity and gastritis. Do you also have upper abdominal pain, nausea, increase in pain on food, sour water feeling in throat or chest burning, these are the other symptoms and may be associated. You shou... Read Full »
Should I take laxatives for constipation?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 29-year-old male. I have been experiencing something like constipation for the past one week. I have had no abdominal pain, but I feel like I need to go to the bathroom. I have a bowel movement in the morning, but I feel constipated the rest of the day. I took some stool soften... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your complaints and what I feel is you might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but before I could make this diagnosis, I need to know, do you have abdominal pain along with your constipation part? Do you feel relieved after defecation, by relief I speci... Read Full »
A stitch after a normal delivery has not healed after five months. Is it a fistula?
Query: Hello doctor, I had a normal delivery five months back, but I can still see one stitch, which has not healed properly. The skin is still raw near the vagina. It does not hurt, but only when I pee or when water touches there, it stings. Please help. I do not want to get restitched, as it has been a l... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do not worry. This is not infected, it is just a skin gap. Nearly everyone will have this much of wound gaping. This is more if the stitch was put very tight, it will cut through. This does not need any resuturing. But you will have to avoid sex till fully healed, or else... Read Full »
How to get relief from constipation presenting with fresh blood during defecation?
Query: Hello doctor, I had constipation four weeks ago. This made me to have big stiff bowel during defecation a thing that caused bruises below my rectum so I currently bleed a fresh blood during egestion with little pain. I have not gone to hospital. You can prescribe a drug. Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for the query. Some times hard and rough stool rubs with veins that are present in the rectal and anal area. Those are very superficial and as they get ruptured due to hard stool there is a possibility of having fresh blood while defecation. To avoid this pleas... Read Full »
What causes burning sensation while passing stools?
Query: Hello doctor, My 4.5-year-old baby is complaining of a burning feel whenever he passes stool. One day he passed a hard stool since then, he is saying like that. It has been one and a half months now and is not getting healed. I can see some redness outside the anus and no idea about inside. I am app... Read Full »
Dr. Manu Chandarashekhara Bharadwaj
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. This sometimes happens even when they are not passing hard stools. But you still will have to give stool softeners. Please do the following: 1. Do not give him any oily or spicy food for two weeks. 2. Do not give him biscuits, cakes, chocolates, chips, carbonated ... Read Full »
How to have a complete defecation?
Query: Hi doctor, I have a problem to defecate completely. It takes me more than 20 minutes to defecate completely. I also take more than two minutes to pass urine completely. I am very healthy. I consulted a doctor, and I have done various tests and examinations such as defecogram, balloon expulsion test... Read Full »
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hassan Shoukat
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is a complex problem. Exercises like kegel exercise and medication can help. Urinary issues also occur due to constipation and dyssynergia. Use Docusate sodium 200 mg twice daily. It is a good stool softener, and you can use it for a long time. Read Full »
Is my 8 months old baby suffering from Hirschsprung's disease or severe constipation?
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 »