Constipation and Indigestion

Question: I am a 68-year-old woman, and I have long suffered from an acidic stomach and constipation. Can you offer any suggestions?

Dr. Hibberd’s Answer:

Indigestion and constipation are miserable bedfellows. Often as we age constipation becomes more apparent as we inadvertently reduce the intake of high-fiber foods and engage in less physical activity.

Colon malignancy often has little or no symptoms and changes in bowel habit are a very good reason to request a surveillance colonoscopy, especially for patients over the age of 40.

Persistent or episodic indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, may reflect a gastric reflux, esophageal, gastric, duodenal (small intestine), gallbladder, or pancreatic disorder, and sometimes even an unrecognized heart condition. Dyspepsia at your age deserves prompt evaluation and appropriate imaging. You can expect some blood work, EKG with perhaps a stress test, and probably an endoscopy that will include a check for H. pylori, a bacterium known to cause gastric inflammation, ulcerations, and chronic complaints.

We have wonderful diagnostic tools and medications for complaints such as yours, and it is a shame to see you suffering. I recommend you seek professional consultation to address these potentially serious complaints.