Constipation is difficult or systematically insufficient bowel movement. A similar diagnosis is made if the act of defecation is delayed for more than 48 hours. According to statistics, constipation affects about 50% of people over 60 years of age. What causes defecation disorders? What is the best treatment for constipation in older people? Is it possible to carry out therapy on your own and how effective is it? Let's start in order.
Causes of constipation
With age, the motor function of the intestine, especially the colon, begins to weaken, as a result of which stool ejection becomes more difficult. In addition, due to decreased sensitivity of the anal sphincter, the urge to defecate is not always noticeable. These factors are the main ones for senile constipation. In addition, intestinal problems can be caused by:
- low fluid intake;
- poor nutrition (lack of fiber-rich foods in the diet);
- sedentary lifestyle;
- regular use of medications.
In some cases, chronic constipation in older people can be the result of various diseases. For example, defecation disorders are considered common if the patient has a history of ailments such as:
- atherosclerosis;
- parkinsonism;
- diabetes;
- depression.
It is advisable to treat constipation in older people under the supervision of health workers in order to promptly stop complications that may occur due to digestive disorders.
Prevention and treatment of constipation in old age
Without a doubt, the best way to cure a disease is to prevent it. And this fully concerns the problem of defecation retention in older people. If you know that you are predisposed to this disease, you do not need to wait for it to worsen, but it is better to immediately take steps that will help prevent its unpleasant and painful manifestations.
Step one is diagnosis by a specialist.
If you notice problems with bowel movements that manifest themselves on an ongoing basis, be sure to consult a doctor to find out the cause of this phenomenon. Older people tend to be shy and afraid of doctors; to them such problems often seem minor and undeserving of attention. But it is worth keeping in mind that often constipation can only be a symptom of another, much more serious disease - intestinal cancer or other tumors in the human body.
Diagnostics by a specialist will be able to begin treatment in a timely manner in case of the presence of certain diseases, and in case of their absence, it will help to find out which foods or medications may be harmful to the patient. Also, the doctor will prescribe medications that will help solve the problem.
Step two is normalizing your daily routine.
Sometimes following a few simple rules is enough to make bowel problems a thing of the past. First of all, this is, of course, physical activity appropriate to the age and physical condition of a person. Secondly, drinking enough liquid, which is very useful for delayed bowel movements. And thirdly, regulation of nutrition issues, which we will discuss in more detail below.
Constipation in the elderly: what to do
First of all, if there are regular disorders, the patient should be examined for the possible presence of the diseases described above. Otherwise, the therapy will not give a lasting result, and the underlying disease will be neglected. If the disorder is caused by taking medications, then laxatives are prescribed. It is worth noting that it is not recommended to treat constipation in older people using strong drugs, enemas or rinses. The main therapy is mild medications, massage, diet and folk remedies.
Laxatives
If difficulties cannot be eliminated with massage or diet, the use of laxatives is prescribed. Treatment of constipation in older people is carried out with the safest and at the same time effective medications. For example, the drug “Normolax”, which has a unique composition. Its main components are plum pulp and plantain seeds. They are not addictive and have no side effects. Therefore, taking Normolax is not limited by time.
Regulax is another remedy for constipation in older people. Despite the fact that the drug has a strong effect, its use is permitted. This is explained by the naturalness of the components. Just like the previous remedy, Regulax is not addictive. In addition, it tastes good and lasts for quite a long time - about 10 hours.
Prelax is a prebiotic used for constipation in infants. Its use in conjunction with other drugs allows long-term stabilization of intestinal function in an elderly person. Despite the enormous benefits, the drug also has a disadvantage in the form of side effects. Due to its regular use, flatulence may develop, so it should be taken carefully.
Treatment
Nutrition
Nutritional adjustment is the primary cure for constipation in older people
Change your eating habits if constipation has become your constant companion. Increasing your fiber intake is the first step to relieving constipation. Make it a rule to eat several servings of fresh vegetables and herbs daily. Drink a glass of fermented milk drink in the evening. Eat apples, plums, any available fruits and berries. If the condition of your teeth does not allow you to chew fibrous foods, boil, bake, puree or use a blender. Limit bread made from white flour, yeast and butter baked goods, and rice cereal. A healthy alternative is whole grain, bran bread, oatmeal cookies and porridge, and buckwheat.
Add ready-made fiber from wheat, buckwheat, flax seeds to your food, starting with half a teaspoon and increasing to several tablespoons per day.
Be sure to change your water regime: you cannot limit drinking. Drink clean water, cook compotes from fresh fruits, prunes, raisins. Steam raisins and prunes with boiling water overnight, and add to porridge in the morning. Drink weak tea, alternate with a decoction of rose hips, cherry leaves, and currants.
Exercises for constipation in older people
An inactive lifestyle can harm even a young person. As you age, physical activity becomes an excellent help in slowing down the aging process. Move whenever possible, walk to stores, walk in parks. At home, do simple exercises, turns, bringing your knees to your stomach, as far as your physical condition allows.
Strengthening the defecation reflex
Morning is the time of greatest intestinal activity. Try to train yourself to have a bowel movement after waking up or half an hour after breakfast. When you wake up, drink cold water and massage your abdomen. Sit on the toilet with a low bench under your feet to avoid unnecessary straining. It is preferable to give an enema in the morning.
Laxatives for constipation for the elderly
When prescribing laxatives to older patients, a doctor must take into account the mental characteristics and perceptions of this category of people. Elderly people are often conservative, preferring drugs with an immediate mechanism of action - senna derivatives. It is difficult to convince people to use safe, slow-acting drugs. A small amount of fluid intake complicates the use of osmotic laxatives for constipation in older people. The market cost of drugs plays a certain role; not everyone will afford to purchase expensive modern drugs.
Groups of laxatives used
- Intestinal stimulants - help it contract and push through the contents: senna derivatives, Bisacodyl, Guttalax, Picolax, castor oil. Senna with long-term use can lead to precancerous changes in the intestines. “Pikolaks”, “Guttalax” are preferable, the drops are convenient to dose and drink. Stimulants are used as an emergency medicine; other means are chosen for long-term use.
- Osmotic drugs - absorb water from the intestinal lumen, the contents increase in volume, liquefy, and slip out more easily. This is a laxative for the elderly for daily use. Represented by lactulose (Duphalac), polyethylene glycol (Forlax). While taking osmotic laxatives, be sure to drink enough fluids. The dose is selected individually, gradually increasing until it is effective. The doctor or relative needs to make sure that the patient follows the recommendations until the medicine works properly.
- Stool volume enhancers slow down the passage of water through the intestines and retain it. In pharmacies and health food departments you can buy psyllium - plantain seed flour, seaweed, and the gelling agent agar-agar. The products are designed for long-term use, work only in combination with sufficient fluid intake, and are well tolerated.
- Emollients - glycerin suppositories, suppositories with sodium docusate (Norgolax), microenemas with sodium citrate (Microlax). Inserted into the anus in the morning, it acts gently and quickly. In the case of systemic recurrent constipation, they are not as effective as means for internal use. The procedure for administering a regular enema belongs to the same group.
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Constipation in the elderly: nutrition
Patients suffering from intestinal disorders should pay attention to their diet. A diet for constipation in the elderly necessarily includes foods rich in plant fiber. These include: fruits, herbs, dairy products, fresh vegetables, coarse black bread, bran, honey, porridge. In addition, you need to increase the amount of fluid. Meals for constipation in the elderly should be regular and frequent, at least four times a day. It is advisable to exclude fried foods, milk, white and cauliflower, legumes, and red meat from the menu as much as possible.
Treatment of constipation with dried fruits
Traditional medicine has many recipes in its arsenal that can help older people normalize intestinal function. Treatment with dried fruits will relieve constipation and will not harm the body. Mix 80-100 g of raisins, prunes, nuts, dried apricots. The prepared mass is crushed with a blender or in a meat grinder, the same amount of natural honey (if there is no allergy) and senna herb (pre-grind into powder) are added. The mass is stirred until smooth. Take 20 g before bed. It is recommended to store the medicine in the refrigerator. The shelf life is long and is 1 year.
There are several known recipes with dried fruits. In another, the mixture described above is recommended to be consumed in the morning, adding 100 g of crushed flax seeds to it.
Flaxseed oil for constipation in older people
Flaxseed oil occupies one of the leading positions among drugs used for defecation disorders. It contains many vitamins and minerals beneficial to humans. Therefore, in addition to combating constipation, the oil will also enrich the body with nutrients. It's very easy to use. For example, you can add 15 ml of oil to a glass of natural yogurt and drink it before bed. Treatment results can usually be expected in the morning. For chronic constipation, it is advisable to regularly drink 5-7 ml of flaxseed oil on an empty stomach.
This product can be added to food. However, it should be remembered that with heat treatment or high temperature, the oil loses its value. Therefore, it is recommended to mix it with food eaten cold, for example, cottage cheese.
Folk remedies
The following folk remedies are used for oral administration for constipation:
- flax seeds;
- prune decoction;
- bran.
Flax seeds are rich in fiber and organic acids. In its pure form, take a tablespoon daily. The product can be added to kefir.
A decoction of flax seeds is also considered an effective remedy in folk medicine. A tablespoon of the product is steamed in 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave for 10-12 hours. Strain and take half a glass before meals.
Prunes and decoctions made from them have a good laxative effect. To prepare the infusion for a glass of boiling water you will need 2 tbsp. l. dried fruit Leave for 10 hours. Drink half a glass before meals.
Bran consists of coarse fibers, due to which it has a laxative effect. This is one of the most affordable remedies for treating constipation in the elderly. The bran is steamed with boiling water and allowed to brew for a couple of hours. Take a teaspoon before meals.
Medicinal plants
An excellent remedy for restoring the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is an infusion of rowan. To prepare a healing remedy, the berries are covered with sugar and left to infuse for 1 month. Over time, the resulting syrup is poured into a glass container and 30 ml of alcohol is added for every 0.5 liter of liquid. It is recommended to drink the potion on an empty stomach, after diluting it with water.
Take equal parts of anise fruit, senna grass, joster berries, buckthorn bark, dandelion and licorice root, mix and grind. 20 g of the resulting mixture is brewed with 250-300 ml of boiled water. Leave for 25 minutes, then strain. Drink the prepared infusion shortly before bedtime.
For occasional constipation, it is advisable to use lingonberry infusion. To prepare it, pour 150 g of berries with water, put on low heat and bring to a boil. Then cover with a lid and let it brew for 7-8 hours. Drink 1 glass before meals.
An infusion of burdock roots is also effective for regulating stool. For 300 ml of boiling water you will need 10 g of crushed roots. Infuse the product for 30 minutes, then filter and drink in equal doses three times a day before meals.
Suppositories for constipation in the elderly
Laxative suppositories are recommended for occasional constipation, or if the disease is combined with hemorrhoids. You can eliminate stagnant changes in the intestines with glycerin and gas-forming suppositories. The latter include Ferrolax and Calciolax. Thanks to them, gas is formed in the intestinal lumen, which allows for good passage of feces.
The work of glycerin suppositories is aimed at stimulating the nerve endings of the rectum. Such candles can be used not only by elderly people, but also by children and pregnant women. True, there are some contraindications. These include: the presence of anal fissures, tumors, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the intestinal wall.
A popular remedy used to treat older people is Bisacodyl suppositories. They have no special side effects and are well accepted by the body.
Constipation in old age: causes and treatment
It is no secret for men and women of retirement age, as well as for their loved ones, that problems with bowel movements are very common. Almost half of the grandparents, to a greater or lesser extent, have experienced all the delights of a condition when for three or four days it is impossible to get rid of the feces accumulated in the body, and attempts to defecate only cause excruciating pain.
There are several reasons why constipation is such a problem at this age:
- Weakening the sensitivity of the sphincter and anal area.
The fact is that with age, many people lose sensitivity in this area and may simply not notice the urge to have a bowel movement. And such a delay in removing feces from the body inevitably causes it to harden and, as a result, constipation.
- Taking various medications.
It's no secret that grandparents take a lot of different medications. Problems with blood pressure, headaches, aching joints - all this is difficult to endure without appropriate medications, and, meanwhile, many of them have constipation among the side effects.
- Not drinking enough.
In order for the body to function normally, it needs a fairly large amount of fluid. As people age, many people stop drinking enough water and other drinks, which causes hardening of the stool.
- Unbalanced diet.
The older a person is, the more energy he spends on seemingly basic things. And even cooking can tire an old man, so many people switch to dry food, which causes such undesirable consequences.
- Sedentary lifestyle
It’s not for nothing that they say that movement is life. As people age, they begin to move less and less, and the muscles of their body decline. The intestines do not escape this fate either, which becomes flabby and passive, as a result of which it cannot properly perform its functions.
Also, problems with stool can be caused by many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, otosclerosis, or even severe stress.
It should also be noted that retention of feces in the human body leads not only to unpleasant and painful sensations, but also to poisoning of the entire body. Through the intestinal walls, waste products begin to be absorbed back, enter the bloodstream and lead a person to intoxication with all its typical symptoms: dizziness and headache, nausea, weakness, and so on.
In addition, chronic constipation can cause complications such as hemorrhoids, cracks and ruptures of the rectum, and inflammation of the intestinal walls. That is why, when known symptoms appear, the necessary measures should be immediately taken to not only get rid of defecation retention at the moment, but also to prevent it in the future.
If you want to know what folk remedies exist for constipation in older people, then read our other article on this site.
