Question 1

I'm 23 and I've been dealing with constipation for the past six months, even though I eat well. I saw a gastroenterologist and followed their treatment plan, but the relief was only temporary and the issue keeps coming back. I take Meftal Spas for my period pain and read somewhere that this medication might affect bowel movements. Could that be causing my constipation? I also feel lazy all the time and have a thyroid problem. What should I do about this?

Accepted Answer

Meftal Spas, which contains dicyclomine and paracetamol, can indeed cause constipation as a side effect. To help with your constipation, you can try taking a stool softener like Duphalac (Lactulose) 15-30 ml once daily at night. Additionally, increasing your fiber intake with a supplement like Metamucil (Psyllium) 1 tablespoon mixed with water once or twice daily can also be beneficial. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and stay physically active. If your symptoms persist, it's important to consult with your doctor for further evaluation and management of your constipation.

Question 2

I've been dealing with an anal fissure for 2 months now and haven't taken any medicines until recently. For the past 15 days, I tried coconut oil and it helped heal about 90% of the fissure, but then it came back because of hard stools. For the last 5 days, I've been doing sitz baths three times a day for 20 minutes, taking Pilex tablets, and using Pilex ointment. I've also been eating high-fiber foods and drinking more water for a month. Will this treatment heal the fissure completely or is surgery the only option? How long should I wait to see if it gets better before considering the next step? I'm really worried about this.

Accepted Answer

It's understandable to be concerned about your anal fissure, especially after experiencing a recurrence despite initial improvement. While your current treatment, including sitz baths, Pilex, high-fiber diet, and increased water intake, is beneficial for managing symptoms and promoting healing, it may not be enough to completely resolve chronic fissures. It's advisable to continue these measures and monitor for any signs of improvement over the next 6-8 weeks. If the fissure doesn't show significant healing or you continue to experience pain and discomfort, consult with a doctor, who might recommend additional treatments, including botox injections or, in some cases, surgery.

Question 3

I'm seeing blood in my mucus pretty often throughout the past month. I did a PT Prothrombin time test, and it was 15 seconds, which seems higher than the normal range of 14.4 seconds. But the INR is 1.17, which I think is okay. I'm wondering if the bleeding is linked to some liver issues or if having a PT of 15 seconds is still considered normal? Do you think I should go for a Liver Function Test (LFT) to check what's going on?

Accepted Answer

Yes LFT is advised to the patient.

I was wondering how we can really be sure that someone is free of abdominal tuberculosis after they've finished their ATT course. Is there a specific test that can accurately confirm it? I'm feeling a bit anxious about making sure the treatment has been successful.

Patient is advised x-ray chest and sputum for AFB and mmicroscopy.

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