Senior's digestive problems

[Ranger99]

Sorry to post such a thing,
but most everything I've looked
at on the confuser ends up
as an advertisement for meds
or clinical services
If anybody cares to comment,
I'm wondering if you know what
would cause hard dry stools.
Never had any problems myself
always regular daily, and never
had a single case of constipation.
My only problem has been drinking
the witches brew required before
the colon exams. I've learned to
deal with it beforehand and deal
with the aftermath.
Late the other night/early AM
I had to answer the call, but
not very far into things, it
started going haywire and I
felt like there was a sharp
rock stuck. I mean stuck.
Long story short everything
worked itself out, but not
without considerable pain
back there.
The general notion is-
too much bread
too much meat
not enough water
not enough vegetables
too much beer
not enough this and
way too much of that

None of that applies to me
at all.  Never a case of this
or constipation in my life.
One of my relatives by comparison
only goes once in 2 weeks.
I'd be extremely sick

Any comments?

If it's too much I'll ask to
get everything deleted

[gene_225]

Try prunes. works for me.

[Graybeard]

Prunes or prune juice is a fair short term cure for constipation but that sounds different than your issue. In my case not enough water and not enough fiber in my diet are the causes of that issue.

No matter if you think you are taking in enough liquid if you are having the issue mentioned then you really are not getting enough fluids daily. I know I try to take in more but still just don't get as much as needed.

To help ease the passage of such try rising off the commode lid and squatting over the commode as one might do when going out in the woods. It eases passage greatly over sitting on your butt.

Hard lumpy stools are primarily a lack of water but lack of fiber in diet adds to that situation.

[Lloyd Smale]

i do fiber supplements. im on zepbound for weight loss and it tends to constipate. i used to be like a clock every morning but now its every two or three days and if i dont do fiber and stool softeners it gets pretty hard. be careful though internal bleading can cause it. if its real dark or theres any blood with it get to your doctor.

[moamonkey]

Dehydration or lack of fiber is typically my problem in this arena. This being a sudden change could warrant some investigation by a trusted medicine man. Sounds like you get a regular colonoscopy, so that’d be the guy I’d consult.

[wtxbadger]

I would drink a little more water during the day and add some fresh fruit like plums, peaches or grapes to my daily diet. Works for me and if it's really hot outside when I'm working in the heat I double down on the water to stay hydrated.

[Ranger99]

I guess it was nothing to get too
worked up over besides a sore rear.
Dr. says no black stools, no blood
on the TP, nothing wrong since then,
no concern.
Regular visit in another month.
Blood, whiz-in-a-cup, and stool
sample to send to the lab as usual.

No BM problems or irregularities
before or since then.
Sure extremely painful though.
Maybe it was a humility reminder.

[moamonkey]

Age check…I tend to get those in different forms. Starting to come too often.

[DDZ]

Try taking Magnesium glycinate.

[Ranger99]

Thanks, but there's no need for
me to start taking anything new.
I've never had the problem in my
life, and haven't had it since the
one and only time.
I've always been regular, and don't
ever recall having any constipation
my whole life.
I know some people that don't go
but once every other day and a couple
that are way worse than that.
I'd literally be sick if I couldn't go at
least once a day.
Not trying to stir anything at all, most
every "irregular " person I know drinks
alcoholic beverages every day.
I also know a few that never drink
water as water. They'll drink wine, lots
of beer, coffee, lots of cold drinks, tea,
creamers and flavorings with 2 drops of
coffee in it,  etc.  etc.
But never any plain water

IMO my problem was just a one off
deal, but the terrible pain was what
got me in a frazzle

[DDZ]

Its noted that you have changed nothing, but as we age things change with your body. Things that affect you now, your body handled quite well when you were younger. Magnesium is a very essential mineral that you only get from food. Its been known that many people are magnesium deficient, somewhere around 75% of the population. Men 31 to 50 years old need 420mg. As we age your requirement for magnesium goes up, because your body does not absorb magnesium as easy. So you can figure if your diet gives you anywhere close to 420mg. 
Every organ in your body needs magnesium. The reason I mentioned is because Magnesium can help with constipation. Magnesium is not a drug of any kind, its a natural mineral that your body needs. if you keep saying there is no need to start taking anything, or change anything. Then chances are your condition will continue.   

[Bob Riebe]

I get that but I have changed my diet, not on purpose but as my taste buds are mostly shot, I no longer eat stuff because it tastes good but rathe mostly what ever is handy.
After giving my self a peptic ulcer, I now often take Tums or drink Alka Seltzer at night which means dropping rocks roather than hershey slides.
At that.
When I was young-er, certain foods sent me to the Crapper mid-meal.
Now, Saurer Kraut, stll keeps me close to a Crapper, after a meal of it.

[gypsyman]

  I'm 69, and this time of the year, no problem with digestive problems. Especially, this time of the year. Lots of fresh fruit, vegetables from the garden. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, only problem I have is making sure there's a bathroom close by. Usually when I turn the coffee pot on in the morning, buy the time the coffee is done, so am I.