I don't WANT to think about that. Yargh!
"Uncooperative stools have NO HONOR!"
Posted on 01/21/2005 8:36:54 PM PST by neverdem
Despite the barrage of television commercials that insist otherwise, a diet low in fiber is usually not the cause of constipation, and taking fiber supplements is probably not the cure, according to a new study.
In fact, a fiber supplement can actually make symptoms worse in some patients, particularly the most severely afflicted. A review study published in the January issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that many other common beliefs about constipation are also little more than durable myths.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, constipation is the reason for at least 2.5 million doctor visits annually in the United States, and ACNielsen, the marketing information company, reports that Americans spent more than $700 million last year on over-the-counter laxative medicines. Yet much of the advice they got - including many suggestions from doctors - was probably not helpful.
Fiber is far from a panacea. In one study, fewer than half of the patients with self-described constipation had any response to added fiber, and studies comparing people with chronic constipation to comparison groups without the condition show no difference in their dietary fiber intake.
At best, a diet low in fiber may be a contributory factor in a minority of patients, and fiber supplements may help them, the reviewers, led by Dr. Stefan Müller-Lissner, a professor of medicine at Humboldt University in Berlin, found.
Drinking more liquid is often recommended, but studies show it does not work. Although it may seem that adding water to hard stools will soften them, adding liquid does not accomplish this, nor does it relieve constipation.
If fiber and liquids do not help much, will increasing exercise? The studies say no.
Despite its other benefits, exercise is largely ineffective in preventing constipation. It seems to help in the elderly if it is part of a broader program, but it does not work in young, severely constipated patients. While workouts like marathons can increase gut activity, moderately increased exercise in healthy people has no discernible effect on bowel function.
What really works for constipation? "I do start with a trial of dietary fiber," Dr. Müller-Lissner said. "Prunes and other fruits may be effective, although bloating can occur as a side effect."
If those measures do not work, Dr. Müller-Lissner recommends laxatives. In addition to the fiber additives, there are three other types: stool softeners (Colace, for example); saline laxatives like milk of magnesia; and stimulant laxatives, including Dulcolax, Correctol, and others. "I prescribe macrogol," the active ingredient in Colace and many other brands, he said.
He added, "If this is ineffective or not tolerated, I switch to bisacodyl" in Correctol and other stimulants, "or a related compound."
These drugs are not harmful in normal dosages, Dr. Müller-Lissner said. Some experts believe that stimulant laxatives that amplify bowel motility can increase the risk for colorectal cancer, but the evidence is weak. Chronic constipation is itself associated with an increased risk of the cancer, but no evidence supports a belief that laxatives used in recommended doses increase the risk.
Other doctors suspect that the drugs have a host of adverse side effects - that they can be psychologically habit-forming, that they cause physical physical dependence, that they lead to "rebound" constipation, or that they damage the nerves and muscles that control the bowel. But studies have found no evidence.
Dr. Müller-Lissner says he believes that what constitutes a normal frequency of bowel movements is up to the patient. "The statistical range of normality is from three stools a day to three stools a week," he said. "But in clinical terms, this is irrelevant. If there is no organic disease underlying the constipation, a low stool frequency by itself does no harm. The only motivation for treatment is the patient's complaint."
That's cold, LOL!
jalapenos and habeneros.
end of problem.
REALLY.
Generic and brand names: ergotamine, belladonna alkaloids, and phenobarbital, oral; ergotamine, caffeine, belladonna alkaloids, and pentobarbital, oral; Bellergal-S; Cafatine PB
Although Belladonna is used in conjunction with opium, (i.e., Belladonna-opium) belladonna on it's own is not an opiate..
One of the side effects of belladonna is.. diarhhea...
This may be why it is mixed with opium.. one cancels out the other..
I don't WANT to think about that. Yargh!
"Uncooperative stools have NO HONOR!"
Chili powder with some lime works for me (but I am not a medical expert...just my own experience).
Try Chili Oil, which can be found at just about every Chinese restaurant or foodstore. I use it with potstickers, and have mixed it in with other foods that I want to get a "kick" out of. Works everytime to keep those bowels movin, movin.
Come to think of it, potstickers usually give me gas so it's close.
Thank you for the correction. I vaguely remember old labels when local pharmacists compounded prescriptions with tinctures. I forgot belladonna was the name of a plant which happens to be loaded with atropine.
One of the side effects of belladonna is.. diarhhea...
If it's a paradoxical reaction in some folks, OK, I'll buy it. In most folks, it will make them constipated.
Treatment
Diarrhea is a symptom; when possible, the underlying disorder should be specifically treated, but more often symptomatic treatment will also be necessary. Intestinal transit time may be increased by diphenoxylate 2.5 to 5 mg (tablets or liquid) tid or qid, codeine phosphate 15 to 30 mg bid or tid, paregoric (camphorated opium tincture) 15 mL q 4 h, or loperamide hydrochloride 2 to 4 mg tid or qid. Anticholinergics (eg, belladonna tincture, atropine, propantheline) can (probably will) decrease peristalsis.
More intestinal transit time means less diarhhea. Here's some links:
Check out SLUD in the "What are the clinical effects of the nerve agents?" section here.
That's cruel. What did I do to offend you?
Exactly!
These éxperts'are idiots!
Belladona is nightshade. Don't know what else is in it, but it contains the toxin atropine, which is used to counteract nerve agents.
Iron definitely can cause constipation. Apple juice seems to counter it well, at least in babies.
ROTFL
What's wrong with a nice batch of jalapeno poppers? LOL
bump
Cool! I didn't know they had added something to their product line!
;^)~
Dr. Müller-Lissner says he believes that what constitutes a normal frequency of bowel movements is up to the patient. "The statistical range of normality is from three stools a day to three stools a week," he said. "But in clinical terms, this is irrelevant. If there is no organic disease underlying the constipation, a low stool frequency by itself does no harm. The only motivation for treatment is the patient's complaint."
I always thought that constipation had nothing to do with frequency, but the hardness (consistency) and difficulty of passing said stool.
Oh! And what's the frequency, Kenneth???
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