Constipation and Bloating
Here are a few helpful suggestions to manage this problem. Often times, you need an EGD, colonoscopy and blood test to rule out different causes for the above symptoms. Please contact the office or your family doctor.
Relieving Constipation:
Gradually increase the fiber in your diet to 20-30 grams daily. Fiber supplements such as Benefiber, Citrucel, or Metamucil can be used.
Miralax (Glycolax) We generally recommend taking it at 8 pm mixed with a drink or water of your choice. If you need the medicine more than once we recommend taking second dose 30 min later at 8:30 pm
MOM 30cc (2 tbsp.) as needed. Take MOM 2 tbsp on any day that you skip a BM. (This is in addition to miralax).
Bloating: Avoid milk, cheese, fruits, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, cauliflower, beans, potatoes and corn.
Avoid artificial sweeteners (like that present in sugar free candies, chewing gum) soda and high fructose corn syrup.
Avoid mouth breathing.
Soluble fibers like that present in oats, barley, legumes, etc can cause more bloating.
Peppermint Tablet (To be swallowed not sucked on – available at GNC stores)
Align or VSL #3 (probiotics)
Iberogast Iberogast 20 drops tid. It is available online from amazon and other web pages. This has been shown to be helpful by anecodatal reports and is not FDA approved. I have discussedthis with the patient. It has been helpful for bloating. The side effects of Iberogast include allergic reaction to Chamomile (including anaphylaxis) and side effects of Liquorice which includes myocardial infarction, water retention, pseudohypoaldosternoism, headaches, fatigue and hypertension. Moreover it contains some alcohol.
