Can i die from severe constipation?

Question

Could a person die from severe constipation for 2 weeks?

Answer 1

Unlikely: Severe constipation leading to obstruction in the large bowel can lead to death but this is unlikely in a healthy young adult. You are more likely to suffer from abdominal pain or hemorrhoids.

Answer 2

Rarely: As the primary cause of death, probably uncommon. However, blockage of the colon can lead to many severe chemical abnormalities in the body, the potential for severe nutritional impairment etc. Severe constipation mainly results in great lowering of the quality of one's life. A gastroenterologist is a good person to see, although many pcp's treat this daily.

Answer 3

Rare but yes...: Severe constipation can rarely cause hard, dry stool to erode through the colon wall. Peritonitis can occur, and death is a possibility. Having said that, most people's constipation will never become that extreme. Drink lots of water and increase your fiber intake- psyllium is a good fiber supplement. And see your doctor for help!

Answer 4

Full assessment: Constipation has many contributors. Diet high in simple carbohydrates (potatoes, rice, starches), lack of exercise, and lack of fluid intake are primary reasons, followed closely by medications that dry you out. If you are a woman, menopause can also be a contributor. That being said, adding daily miralax, (polyethylene glycol) 17g twice a day with water will help, and follow with an otc mild laxative for a few days.

Answer 5

Clean house.: First step is to have a "blow out." this can be started with manual disimpaction / enema and completed with a cathartic such as magnesium citrate. Afterwards you should start a program of additive agents such as senna / docusate and perhaps an osmotic agent depending upon the nature of your constipation. The goal is one formed bm/day.

Answer 6

Constipation: Should try to identify a cause such as medications and diet. Your doctor should check you out to identify treatable causes and determine what medication may be helpful.

Answer 7

Need more info: Make sure you bet a high fiber diet and drink plenty of fluids. I would also start MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) ever night and then be evaluated by a md.

Answer 8

Diet and fluids: A good high fiber diet and plenty of non caffeinated, non alcoholic fluids should do the trick...Nothing more nothing less. 80-100 ounces of fluids per day at a minimum.

Answer 9

Low fiber: And not enough fluids especially if much of your fluid intake is caffeine and or alcohol both of which dehydrate and constipate. Excess foods with calcium or iron such as cheeses and dairy products can constipate. Even if you ate the right foods but didn't drink the correct amount and types of fluids you could get constipated. Fluids are critical! stop the caffeine!

Answer 10

Doctors can examine: Each person with constipation needs to be sure there is no other disease causing it. If constipation is just due to slow movement of the food and poop through the gut, then the things to try are vegetables, water, fiber with water, prune juice, prunes, polyethylene glycol, Senokot or other senna, milk of magnesia, other laxatives... A doctor can evaluate and consider meds like Linzess.

Can i die from severe constipation?

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