Constipation and irregularity are common problems for senior citizens and those with illnesses and disabilities, for many reasons. While it may not sound like a big deal, constipation can make you feel absolutely miserable. Not only that, but it can lead to problems like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or even intestinal blockages, and those things can be quite serious.
There are many reasons seniors may be more prone to constipation than their younger counterparts. Elderly people may have less-than-ideal diets. Now, to be honest, most people these days have less-than-ideal diets, but elderly people may be even less likely to get enough fresh fruits and vegetables, and they may be more affected by the lack of fiber than younger people. Seniors may also be less active than younger people, and the lack of activity can contribute to constipation. In addition, many seniors take prescription medications that can cause constipation as a side effect.
Constipation is defined as infrequent bowel movements and/or hard, difficult bowel movements. Irregularity means just what it sounds like – bowel movements do not occur with any kind of regularity. Healthy adults normally move their bowels every day or two, but you should know that that can vary widely from person to person. Some people move their bowels two or three times a day and some people regularly go for several days without a bowel movement, and that doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong. However, if you don’t have a bowel movement for several days and you feel bloated or uncomfortable, like you need to go, you may be constipated. If your stool is very hard and you have to strain a lot in order to move your bowels, or if bowel movements are painful, that is not normal.
You can take some simple steps to prevent constipation.
Make sure your loved one drinks plenty of water. People need at least 64 ounces of water or other liquids every day. That’s about eight glasses. Not getting enough water can cause all sorts of problems, including constipation.
Limit liquids that have diuretic properties. These liquids actually make you lose water and can contribute to dehydration and constipation. They include caffeinated drinks like soda, coffee, and tea, as well alcoholic beverages.
Make sure your loved one eats plenty of fiber, including whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Fiber adds bulk to stool, helping it move through the intestines more easily.
Limit foods that may contribute to constipation, such as lots of meat and dairy products, especially cheese. However, it is important to get a certain amount of protein and calcium in your diet, and meat and dairy products give you these things. Don’t totally eliminate them from your loved one’s diet unless you are sure they will get the nutrients they need from other sources. Talk to your loved one’s doctor or make an appointment with a registered dietician if you need help figuring out the best diet for your loved one.
Encourage your loved one to get regular exercise if possible. If he or she can’t actually work out, just walking around the house will help. People who are confined to bed or who cannot move much on their own can benefit from something called Passive Range of Motion, where a therapist or caregiver moves their body parts for them. It’s good for the muscles, but also helps keep the bowels working properly.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts to prevent it, constipation does occur.
See if you can identify the cause. Does it occur after eating certain foods? Has your loved one started a new medication recently? Been less active lately? If you can figure out what’s causing the constipation, you may be able to rectify it fairly easily.
If constipation seems to be a side effect of a medication, talk to your loved one’s doctor about whether a different medication might work to treat your loved one’s condition without causing constipation. Sometimes there might be another drug to try, but sometimes there might not. Narcotic pain medications are notorious for causing constipation, and if your loved one just had a hip replacement, there probably won’t be a lot of good alternatives.
If your loved one takes iron supplements, they can cause constipation. There are several different types of iron, and carbonyl iron is the least likely to cause constipation. Consider switching to carbonyl iron if iron supplements seem to be an issue.
If these things don’t work, you can try adding a daily fiber supplement like Metamucil or Benefiber. These fiber supplements work by keeping stool soft and by giving it more bulk, so it moves through the intestines more easily.
If a daily fiber supplement doesn’t do the trick, try a stool softener. You can buy stool softeners over-the-counter at any grocery store or pharmacy, or you can get a prescription for one. Stool softeners do just what it sounds like they would do – keep the stool soft. You can take them on a daily basis if needed.
Don’t use laxatives or enemas unless constipation is severe. They cannot be used on any kind of a regular basis. They may lead to dehydration, and you can also become dependent on them. If you regularly rely on laxatives or enemas, you may find you can no longer move your bowels on your own at all.
If your loved one regularly struggles with constipation, or if they have a one-time severe case of constipation, talk to their doctor about options for treating it.
If your loved one has symptoms of a bowel obstruction, which can be caused by severe constipation, call your loved one’s doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms of a bowel obstruction include severe abdominal cramps, sharp pains in the abdomen, severe bloating, and vomiting, along with constipation. In the case of a partial bowel obstruction, your loved one may feel constipated but may have some very loose, watery stool that is able to leak out around the obstruction. A bowel obstruction requires prompt medical treatment because it can cut off the blood supply to the intestines. Sometimes a bowel obstruction can be treated medically, but sometimes surgery is required.
Sources:
Jay W. Marks, MD. http://www.medicinenet.com/constipation/article.htm. Constipation.
WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/bowel-obstruction-symptoms. Bowel Obstruction.
