How can elderly people with constipation quickly have a bowel movement?

Sep 22, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Constipation in the elderly may be caused by factors such as declining bodily functions, insufficient fluid intake, medications, hemorrhoids, diabetes, and others. In daily life, older adults should maintain a balanced diet, increase consumption of fiber-rich foods, ensure adequate hydration, and engage in moderate physical activity to promote intestinal motility, thereby effectively preventing constipation.

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as a quick way for elderly individuals with constipation to immediately relieve bowel movements. Constipation in the elderly may be caused by factors such as declining bodily functions, insufficient fluid intake, medication use, hemorrhoids, diabetes, and others. Treatment under a doctor's guidance may include general management and medications. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Declining bodily functions

With advancing age, the intestinal muscles of older adults weaken and peristalsis slows down, causing stool to remain in the intestines for prolonged periods. This leads to excessive water absorption, resulting in constipation. Regular moderate exercise should be maintained to promote intestinal motility.

2. Insufficient fluid intake

Elderly individuals may experience reduced sensation of thirst or have a habit of inadequate water consumption, leading to decreased intestinal moisture, dry stools, and difficulty in defecation. It is important to increase daily fluid intake and maintain adequate hydration.

3. Medications

Older adults often take multiple medications, such as antihypertensives, antidepressants, and diuretics. Long-term use of these drugs may cause constipation, possibly accompanied by symptoms like dizziness and fatigue. Adjustments or discontinuation of these medications should be made under medical supervision.

4. Hemorrhoids

Long-term consumption of spicy and greasy foods may irritate the anus, impair venous blood return, and lead to hemorrhoid formation. Patients with hemorrhoids may avoid defecation due to anal pain, causing stool to remain in the intestine for too long and triggering constipation. Symptoms may include anal pain and bleeding. Treatment should follow medical advice using medications such as Ma Yinglong Musk Hemorrhoids Ointment, Compound Catechu Suppositories, and Diosmin tablets.

5. Diabetes

Diabetes is typically caused by genetic factors, viral infections, etc. A state of high blood glucose can lead to osmotic diuresis, increasing urine output and causing excessive loss of body fluids and nutrients, thereby contributing to constipation. Symptoms may include weight loss, blurred vision, and skin itching. Patients should follow medical instructions to take medications such as metformin hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, acarbose capsules, and glimepiride tablets.

Elderly individuals should maintain a balanced diet in daily life, consume more fiber-rich foods, ensure sufficient fluid intake, and engage in moderate physical activity to promote intestinal motility, effectively preventing constipation.