Man’s Extreme Constipation Nearly Kills Him

The Doctors discuss the case of a man who was suffering from severe constipation and developed abdominal compartment syndrome, which can be deadly.

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The Doctors is an Emmy award-winning daytime talk show hosted by ER physician Dr. Travis Stork, plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon and OB-GYN Dr. Nita Landry.

The Doctors helps you understand the latest health headlines, such as the ice bucket challenge for ALS and the Ebola outbreak; delivers exclusive interviews with celebrities dealing with health issues, such as Lamar Odom, Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham, reality stars Honey Boo Boo and Mama June, and activist Chaz Bono; brings you debates about health and safety claims from agricultural company Monsanto and celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy; and shows you the latest gross viral videos and explains how you can avoid an emergency situation. The Doctors also features the News in 2:00 digest of the latest celebrity health news and The Doctors’ Prescription for simple steps to get active, combat stress, eat better and live healthier.

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[Missdaphanyma]

I’ve been constipated all my life. I always feel like throwing up and full. It is the worse thing possible. I’ve tried it ALL. Pills, prunes, better diet, more water etc etc and nothing helps. It is the most annoying thing ever. 😩

[DEUTSCHLAND.]

My dear aunt was bedridden and died due to perforated colon. Doctors failed to detect the chronic constipation caused by taking many meds and being handicapped. RIP Isabelita.

[MattyIcecubes]

A friend of mine was constipated so badly that he went nearly 3 weeks without pooping. When he finally went to the doctor he was sent straight to the hospital and they had to surgically remove 25lbs of poop from his colon.

[gaia]

My mom had a bad hip fracture around the same time as her radiation therapies for cancer. To deal with pain doctors prescribed opiate pain medication. Even though she ate fiber and drank a 2 to 4 liters of water a day as directed to avoid constipation, she ended up in the hospital from stomach pain that she thought was normal considering she also has another condition that has same symptoms. The pain didn't go away as normal and she looked terrible. We took her to the ER and after xrays, the doctor concluded that she had a perforated colon. In she went to emergency operation. The removed all of her colon, and we hoped that wouldn't happen as she'd have to use a colostomy bag. After the surgery, the next day, we were notified that she would not survive, the antibiotics were not effective as her body was dealing with fecal matter that had spread from her perforated colon. 2 days later she passed away. She was 65. Constipation is no joke, poor diet is no joke, opiates are no joke and patients should always have a withdrawal plan, not being mindful of your body is no joke.

[sugabts]

Weird how I got this in my recommended after I didn’t poop for 3 weeks 💀

[wolfang]

3 days? I've gone so much longer without it being THAT bad. Though it hurts every time like someone is slicing me open. What I would give to be free of my chronic constipation....

[SoniaJbrt]

Can't believe that was only 3 days! I was rushed to the ER once because I couldn't go for 14 days! Felt like I was dying! Fever, weak, nausea, dizzy, fainting. Just really sick. Turns out I have chronic constipation, just have to drink stuff. Most stuff don't even work. Prunes work! People, eat dried prunes and as much as you need! And drink lots of water too.

[anthonyrosario]

What cured me was setting a routine and time:
1. Wake up, black coffee immediately
2. Allow plenty of time for bowels to move, uninterrupted.
3. Be consistent, use enemas sparingly

[woahjade]

I know you’re watching this, most likely on the toilet, absolutely terrified. YOU’RE GONNA BE OK 😭

edit: (IF YOU HAVENT POOPED IN 4 DAYS OR MORE OR ITS A WEIRD COLOR GO TO THE DOCTOR )

another edit: if you’ve been constipated for a couple days, try eating 6 prunes and drink warm water. it works really well for me.

[cierragibson]

I’ve been constipated my whole life. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t constipated when I was a toddler. I still remember being a toddler sitting on a potty trainer toilet trying to push my poop out. Anyways, there was this one time when it got really really bad. I had been constipated for maybe 2 months or so, idk I can’t remember, but all I know is that it was an unhealthy amount of time. My leg started to hurt really bad so I went to the hospital. My doctor figured out it was because of my constipation and we had to move around the hospital to fix it or whatever. It started getting worse. My leg was in so much pain that I couldn’t walk, they had to put me in a wheelchair and rush me around the hospital. At this point I was in an intense amount of pain, it was bad. I ended up having to go to a different hospital because of the severity of it, the doctor even suggested to my mom if she wanted me too ride in an ambulance. I got to the other hospital and all I remember is, rushing me in a wheelchair like I was in labor, me in intense pain, and doctors. They had to take me too an x-ray where I had to lay as still as I could. It was so hard to stay still, my leg was LITERALLY twitching like crazy, that was how much pain I was in. In the x-ray it showed the poop was backed up all up through my stomach, almost to my heart. Anyways, I don’t remember how we fixed the problem because this happened when I was young in elementary school. I bet it was a painful resolution. Eat healthy and poop regularly kids!!

[littledream]

After getting up in the morning. .drink at least 2 glasses of water...an hour later eat your meal...then 45 minute after your meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner ) try to drink hot water ...because hot water can help avoiding costipation.

[trinahorton]

This has happened to my son twice now. The first time we thought he had appendicitis when he jumped down from a tree he was climbing screaming in pain. He screamed all the way to emergency and calmed about thirty minutes after the screaming began. When he got an x-ray they confirmed he was full of crap... Literally. They said it's common with kids because they have things that are more fun going on so they choose to ignore the feeling in favor of playing. Monitor your kids' bathroom habits! (Not that we don't already have enough to monitor relating to kids lol)

[Glory_inthe_rd]

It is so hard to believe that it was only 3 days and that happened I've gone longer than that and had nowhere near that kind of a problem I can only imagine what this guy was eating

[damoos.]

good job doctor you helped this man

When you have bowel issues esp constipation you realize that the privilege to be normal is amazing

[charlotte]

I will show this video to my supervisor so that she knows that me going to the toilet for over 20 minutes is vital and very important for my health.

[BMarie]

I got so constipated that I has to go to the E.R. This..unimaginable cramps would come every 20 seconds or so. I’d literally black out. I had a high pain tolerance and have broken my arms before and didn’t cry. But that....I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t speak. I kept going unconscious with each wave of pain. The doc said the cramps from them can be equated to the pain of child birth.

[maddim]

went a month without going, ended up having to get emergency surgery and an ostomy bag to live. 10 pounds of stool it was crushing my organs and the vein connecting to my heart collapsed. i know it’s embarrassing to talk about but if you’re having issues see a doctor! it could save your life

[chelseasmith]

I used to have horrible constipation and I don't wish that upon anyone, as it's awful and effected my health for a long time and even losing just 5-10 lbs if we are overweight can make a big difference and will help the constipation and constipation symptoms considerably. Plus, medications and fiber intake will also make a big difference, as being on an IBS/IBD medication that works for us and is right for us for those who have IBS like I do, really does help, a long with probiotics.

[CentnlNAve]

I feel like when I drink more water I have less constipation.

[willow]

I’ve been hospitalised so many times with bowel obstructions due to having a very slow transit because my spinal cord is badly tethered and doesn’t give my body the right signals to help me go and it’s absolutely horrendous, I always start with a severe headache and feeling sick and within hours my stomach bloats out so badly I look 9months pregnant and I start to lose the feelings in my legs and severe stomach pains. It’s scary stuff. Believe it or not my consultant has always told me to stay away from too much fibre and to only eat white bread/rice/pasta as my colon can’t process fibre (but I can’t even eat carbs anymore it just sits in there for weeks on end) I eat very small portions..I have total empathy for that guy but 3days isn’t that long 🤔 people don’t realise how dangerous serious constipation is tho and it’s nearly killed me. Drinking lots of water daily and having Movicol sachets is a must for me personally. I feel for everyone who suffers with it.