Emergency Physician Questions Emergency Physician

How do you treat emergency constipation?

I have had constipation for 4 days. What can I do? How do you treat emergency constipation?

2 Answers

You can try an oral agent--like Milk of Magnesia if your kidney function is normal(1/2-1 TBSP every 6-8 hrs until you have a BM) or an enema like a "Fleet's enema." If these fail, manual disimpaction may be needed. Of course you must find out what caused the constipation in the first place--like pain medication, for example, or some other medical or medicine related issue. Not eating enough FIBER and not drinking enough WATER both can worsen constipation.
Take multiple laxatives simultaneously, e.g. dulcolax, miralax, extra fiber, diet change with prunes, kiwis, laxative teas. Do this daily until BM occurs.
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