Latest news with #Miralax
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woman, 25, hospitalised after being constipated for FOUR MONTHS - due to a basic mistake
Gut experts are warning against ignoring long-term constipation after the common problem saw a woman unable to go to the bathroom for four months, increasing the risk of deadly bowel cancer. Doctors said that her condition was so bad they could 'leave indents' in her abdomen due to the huge stool blockage. The unnamed patient, 25, had reportedly struggled with constipation for years, as a result of a redundant colon—which is when the colon cannot fit neatly inside the body without twisting. But, after noticing some improvement in her bowel movements, the patient stopped taking Miralax, a laxative treatment for constipation, against the advice of her doctors—triggering the resurgence of symptoms. By the time she sought medical help, she was no longer responding to over-the-counter treatments. Whilst there is no obvious cause for a redundant colon, it can lead to serious complications and gastrointestinal problems, including constipation. Other common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and recurrent hemorrhoids. The case was described by US doctors who said the patient suffered constipation for so long that the stool had become hardened, resembling 'dense, moist clay'—a problem known medically as faecal impaction. The patient opted for manual disimpaction—a procedure in which backed-up stool is manually removed by a doctor from the rectum. She was also restricted to a liquid diet for the duration of her stay, which saw her drop nearly 10lbs and pass 21 stools. Faecal impaction can be caused by long term use of laxatives, a low-fibre diet and a lack of exercise over a long period of time. This can lead to hardened masses forming and then blocking the digestive tract. The faeces initially backs-up in the rectum, but then gradually accumulates inside the colon or large intestine. One of the main symptoms of the condition is overflow diarrhoea, where the bowel begins to leak watery stool around the blockage and out of the rectum. In this case, experts warn against taking anti-diarrhoea medication. The warning comes amid a worrying trend of younger adults being diagnosed with bowel cancer, after putting their symptoms down to stress, indigestion and food intolerances. Constipation—a significant reduction in the number, or an increased difficulty carrying out, bowel movements—affects one in seven adults. While the frequency of bowel movement varies per individual, the NHS states not passing stool at least three times a week is a sign of constipation. Chronic constipation is estimated to affect up to 15 per cent of the world's population. Whilst constipation is normally a mild ailment, revolved by lifestyle changes, experts have tirelessly warned that chronic constipation significantly increases the risk of bowel cancer. This is because regular bowel movements minimises the amount of time potential toxins can spend in contact with the bowel wall. Mr Haney Yousef, a colorectal surgeon, previously told the Daily Mail: 'This is crucial because prolonged contact with harmful substances can damage the delicate lining of our colon and rectum.' Those who also suffer bloating, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain and extreme fatigue should contact their GP as this could be a sign of something more serious. While the disease is known to be linked to obesity, experts have noted the disease is increasingly affecting otherwise fit and healthy patients. Some experts believe the explanation must lie in environmental factors young people have been exposed to more than previous generations. While no 'smoking gun' has been found, there are multiple theories including modern chemicals in diets, microplastics, and pollution. Around 44,000 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, claiming the lives of almost 17,000 patients each year. Overall, just over half of bowel cancer patients are expected to be alive 10 years after their diagnosis. Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half—54 per cent—of bowel cancer cases are preventable.
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Nurse calls her 2-ingredient mocktail the ‘ultimate poop hack' — that works better than Miralax
A travel nurse is sharing her two-ingredient quick fix for blocked bowels, claiming the hot mocktail is the 'ultimate poop hack.' It's a common requirement for patients to have a successful bowel movement before being discharged from the hospital — an evacuation before exit, if you will. Aand Brooke Saprito has a trick for when her charges are in trouble that she says works like a charm to kick the digestive process up a notch. Brooke christened the drink the Hot Buttered Prune. @money4pizza/Instagram 'Can't discharge a patient without a poo?? All the Miralax and Senna in the world can't do ya like some prune and butter,' she promised in an Instagram video. Over footage of her doing 'the poop dance' in her scrubs, the health care provider explains, 'It's a skill to make someone poop after 10 days of failed attempts— no one is more excited for your BM than your nurse.' Brooke broke down the two-ingredient recipe for what she calls the Hot Buttered Prune, which, as the name implies, includes prune juice and butter. All fruits contain some fiber and can help alleviate constipation, but prunes and plums offer a little something extra. Prunes and plums contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that has been shown to have a proven laxative effect. Some studies have found that prunes may be more effective than fiber supplements such as psyllium. Brooke recommends heating the fruit juice and butter combo in the microwave to prevent clumps and ensuring the backed-up patient in question is in very close proximity to bathroom facilities. 'I have never seen someone be able to hold it in after this one — never a failed attempt,' she assured. Constipation can result from problems with the muscles that form the pelvic floor at the bottom of your torso, or from any blockage in the colon or rectum. SASITHORN – The comments section on the video have been flooded with Hot Buttered Prune devotees who further extol the benefits of this laxative libation, also known as a Texas Tornado. 'Works every time! Don't need a doctor's order for it,' said one. 'Alternative colonoscopy prep,' suggested another. Indeed, the DIY evacuant is having its viral moment, with Google reporting that searches for 'prune juice and butter' have increased by 2,300% worldwide this quarter. However easy as it may seem or smooth it makes your moves, registered dietitian, nutritionist, and Levity consultant Mei Wan warns that the Hot Buttered Prune can exacerbate digestive issues and disordered eating habits, and mask serious health concerns. 'The idea that warm prune juice and butter can work as a powerful laxative comes from personal experiences, but there's no strong evidence that combining them makes them more effective, and it's certainly not a guaranteed solution for constipation,' said Wan. Occasional constipation is relatively common and can be caused by any number of factors, including: Dehydration Lack of dietary fiber Certain medications, such as opioid painkillers, antacids, antihistamines or antidepressants Lack of exercise Constipation can also result from problems with the muscles that form the pelvic floor at the bottom of your torso, or from any blockage in the colon or rectum. Health conditions such as pregnancy, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Parkinson's disease, an overactive thyroid, or diabetes can also be linked to chronic constipation. However, according to Wan, DIY laxative treatments like the Hot Buttered Prune 'perpetuate the use of home remedies to manage chronic constipation instead of resolving underlying problems in fiber intake, hydration, or gut motility disorders.' She notes that repeated use of the mocktail can lead to short-term discomfort like diarrhea, gas, and long-term damage to the digestive tract. Given the explosive rise of health information and misinformation on social media platforms, Wan is concerned that hacks like the Hot Buttered Rum will encourage misuse in vulnerable populations. 'Some individuals are now using it as an easy fix to shed pounds, confusing water loss for fat loss,' she said. 'The trend invites the risk of disordered eating behavior, particularly among teenagers and young adults who are more susceptible to viral health misinformation.' .
CBS News
05-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Doctors said a 34-year-old mom was experiencing normal postpartum symptoms. She was then diagnosed with advanced cancer
In September 2023, Heather Barry knew something was wrong. She had welcomed her third daughter in May, and while the delivery had been complicated, Barry had recovered. She was "starting to get (her) groove back," but over the summer she began struggling with constipation and kept finding blood in her stool. During her annual OB-GYN visit in September, her gynecologist said it was a common postpartum symptom and recommended stool softeners, a high-fiber diet and pelvic floor therapy. "She reassured me. She even said to me 'Give it a year and see how it goes,'" Barry told CBS News. Later in the month, an annual physical with her primary care physician went similarly. But it didn't put her at ease. Her symptoms were worsening and causing her to eat less. She was extremely uncomfortable. In October, she saw a colorectal surgeon who diagnosed her with hemorrhoids. The surgeon said the hemorrhoids were the cause of her issues. Again, Barry was recommended stool softeners and a high-fiber diet. "I felt like I was on a hamster wheel. People kept telling me 'You're OK, you're OK,' but I knew I wasn't OK," Barry said. She was taking multiple doses of Miralax, a laxative powder for occasional constipation, every day. She couldn't eat and kept losing weight. Every time she went to the bathroom, "there was blood in the toilet," she said. By the end of October, Barry had lost 30 pounds and changed her primary care physician. Her new doctor again diagnosed her with hemorrhoids. She was prescribed a hydrocortisone cream, told to look into pelvic floor therapy, and referred to a gastroenterologist. The gastroenterologist suggested Barry might be struggling with a hormone imbalance and again recommended stool softeners and a high-fiber diet. Barry said she felt like she was "going mental" as she received the same advice over and over. "I was in so much pain every night. The only reprieve I could get was when I was in the shower, I would just lay on the floor," Barry said. "I felt like I was screaming and nobody was listening to me." In December, Barry started pelvic floor therapy. Her physical therapist was alarmed by her condition and helped her get an appointment with another expert. That doctor scheduled her for a test that found dysfunction in her bowels. In January 2024, she saw another gastroenterologist. She was sedated for a colonoscopy and endoscopy. When she woke up, the room was buzzing. "I was barely even woken up yet ... and everybody was moving around really quickly," Barry said. "I was like 'What's going on?' And the doctor came in, and he was like, 'You need to go. We need to send you over to the colorectal surgery department right now.' He was like 'I'm 99% sure that you have cancer.'" Minutes later, the diagnosis was official: the 34-year-old mother of three kids under 6 had Stage III colon cancer. Barry, now 36, is among the growing number of young adults being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. A 2024 study from the American Cancer Society found that colorectal cancer, once the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths for people younger than 50, was now the leading cause of death for men and the second cause of death for women. In general, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . No one knows why colorectal cancer rates are rising in young people. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, a gastroenterologist, said in 2024 that possible reasons might include a rise in obesity or changes in the gut microbiome caused by diet or lifestyle factors. Screening guidelines have been altered , recommending adults with average risk get their first screening at 45. People with a family history of colorectal cancer are supposed to start getting screenings 10 years before the age their family member was diagnosed. Barry said one doctor asked if she had a family history of the disease but since she didn't, the possibility never came up again. Ted Hong, the director of gastrointestinal radiation oncology at Mass General Hospital who oversaw Barry's treatment, said her struggle to be diagnosed is "not unusual for young patients who are diagnosed with colon cancer." "This new phenomenon of younger patients, certainly patients as young as Heather, having colorectal cancer is definitely not something that is on the radar of most primary care-based physicians," Hong said. "It does take a lot (of) self-advocacy and sometimes bouncing around to get to the diagnosis." Barry said being told she had cancer was "the scariest moment" of her life, but left her "almost relieved." "I felt like 'Oh my God, I haven't been crazy, something has been going on, and I knew it was going on,'" Barry recalled. Two days after her diagnosis, Barry sat down with Dr. Robert Goldstone, a colorectal oncologist at Mass General Cancer Center. He recommended an aggressive treatment plan. They would start with a colostomy to relieve her bathroom issues and allow her to eat. She would also have chemotherapy and radiation to treat the five-centimeter tumor in her colon, followed by surgery. Hong managed the treatment. On March 1, the first day of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Barry began chemotherapy. She had eight sessions, one every other week. The powerful medication was delivered through a port in her arm over 48 hours and caused strange symptoms, including cramping and dysfunction in her hands and an extreme sensitivity to cold. In June, she finished the chemotherapy. After a three-week break, she underwent nearly six weeks of radiation treatment. In October 2024, Barry underwent surgery to resect the remaining tumor from her colon. The surgery also converted her colostomy to an ileostomy so she could begin to regain function in her colon. Throughout it all, Barry focused on making "something that's not normal, normal" for her three young daughters. "The end goal was to beat the heck out of this and get to that finish line," she said. Now, six months after her surgery, things are settling down again for Barry and her family. She had her ileostomy reversed in January 2025. She has regained much of the function in her colon, and she and her family are finding new normalcy. Barry will remain under close surveillance, Hong said, including follow-up visits every three months and an annual colonoscopy. In two or three years, if the cancer has not returned, the follow-ups will "eventually start to get spaced out," he said. Her daughters will also be screened for colorectal cancer starting at 25 years old, Hong said, following the recommendation that people whose parents have such cancers get screened 10 years before their parents' age at onset. Barry said that since her diagnosis, she has heard from several other people like her: Women in their 30s, diagnosed with colorectal cancer, who struggled to get a diagnosis. She said she hopes her story inspires others to fight for answers when they feel something is wrong. "If something doesn't feel right, if something just isn't sitting well with you, push and don't stop pushing," Barry said. "If I listened and kept listening and didn't keep going, I don't know where I would be today."
