It is usually not normal for elderly individuals to not have a bowel movement for six or seven days, and timely medical consultation is recommended to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a professional physician.
Under normal circumstances, adults typically have a bowel movement 1-2 times per day or once every 1-2 days. Going without a bowel movement for more than three days can be defined as constipation, and six to seven days without a bowel movement clearly exceeds the normal range, which should be taken seriously, especially for elderly individuals.
With aging, the intestinal motility function in elderly individuals gradually weakens. Combined with reduced physical activity and a monotonous diet (e.g., insufficient intake of dietary fiber and inadequate water consumption), this can easily lead to prolonged retention of stool in the intestine, excessive absorption of water, and subsequent constipation. Additionally, elderly individuals who are bedridden for long periods or lack physical activity are more prone to this problem.
Organic lesions such as intestinal obstruction, intestinal tumors, and megacolon may block the intestines and cause difficulty with defecation. Anorectal diseases such as anal fissures and hemorrhoids can cause pain during bowel movements, potentially leading elderly individuals to deliberately suppress defecation, creating a vicious cycle.
If the elderly individual does not exhibit obvious acute abdominal symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, or bloating, it is recommended they pay attention to their bowel habits and take appropriate measures to promote intestinal motility and defecation, such as increasing dietary fiber intake, drinking more water, and engaging in moderate physical activity.