Often difficult to pass, black and hard stools, what to do?

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Hello doctor. For 2 weeks now, I have been having difficulty passing stools, having black and hard stools. Can you advise me that I often have difficulty passing stools, black and hard stools, what to do?
Anonymous client questions
Hello doctor. I am 18 years old and have been taking bisacodyl 5mg to have a bowel movement for 2 years now because I don't feel like having a bowel movement, 2 years ago I still had normal bowel movements with no problem even though my diet was still good. It's normal like now but I don't know why I'm constipated now. Every 4-5 days, I have to take 2 tablets in the morning before eating 30 minutes, then I can go. Now I don't know how to stop taking that medicine even though I have eaten a diet rich in green vegetables without any progress, I have not gone to the doctor. I have had gastroscopy 2 times and have gastritis with HP and have also cured HP, but the colon has not. The child takes the medicine and has a normal bowel movement, sometimes with severe abdominal pain, yellow bloodless stools. Have hemorrhoids. May I ask what should I do now, do I have to take medicine for the rest of my life? Looking forward to consulting your doctor. Thank you.
Anonymous Customer Question
Answer
Hi,
Constipation is a term used to describe a range of defecation related symptoms such as difficulty defecating, painful defecation, hard stools, abdominal pain, few bowel movements. There are 2 main mechanisms of constipation:
Constipation is caused by slow movement of stool from the cecum to the rectum due to decreased contractility. Constipated due to pelvic floor dysfunction, stool is stored in the rectum for a long time because of the lack of a coordinated mechanism to empty the rectum. Besides, there are many secondary causes of constipation: Not enough fiber in the diet, not enough fluids, lack of exercise and low intestinal motility index causing defecation. Constipation may be secondary to structural damage, medications, IBS, neurological disease, or metabolic causes.
Regarding the initial treatment of constipation, usually gradually increase the amount of fiber in meals, drink plenty of water, exercise daily, and practice bowel habits on time. If there is no response, laxatives may be used and even surgery may be required if the medication does not respond.
You can go to the nearest hospital under Vinmec Health System for advice and to check the status of your black stools. Thank you for sending the question often difficult to pass, black and hard stools what to do to Vinmec.

Answered by Master, Doctor Nguyen Quoc Lan - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.