What should be done for severe constipation in elderly individuals?

Families with elderly members often encounter a common and troubling issue—chronic constipation—which significantly impairs their quality of life and causes considerable discomfort. So, what should be done when constipation becomes severe in older adults? Below, we address this question.

What to Do When Constipation Is Severe in Older Adults

Constipation is a common clinical condition among the elderly. For severe cases, glycerin suppositories (e.g., Dulcolax) may be used; most patients can then pass stool successfully. If stool still cannot be evacuated, a hospital visit for enema therapy is recommended. Typically, a soap-suds enema may be administered to cleanse the bowel, facilitating effective stool passage. For individuals experiencing recurrent constipation, incorporating more lubricating and fiber-rich foods into the diet is advisable, while laxative use should be minimized whenever possible. Gentle abdominal massage can also promote gastrointestinal motility and help alleviate constipation.

Additional Insight: Causes of Constipation in Older Adults

In older adults, reduced physical activity and decreased food intake slow down gastrointestinal motility. Moreover, diminished secretion of digestive fluids, relaxation of anal sphincter and other pelvic floor muscles, and weakened defecation reflexes all contribute to prolonged colonic transit time. Consequently, excessive water is reabsorbed from the stool, leading to hardening and dryness. Additionally, elderly individuals often consume simple, low-fiber diets that provide insufficient stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract—further predisposing them to constipation. Clinically, constipation manifests primarily as difficulty passing stool, reduced bowel movement frequency, markedly dry or pellet-like (sheep-dung-like) stools, and frequently accompanies symptoms such as loss of appetite and abdominal distension.

The above outlines practical approaches for managing severe constipation in older adults. We hope this information proves helpful.