Constipation in older
Posted on October 27, 2009
Filed Under Disease |
Constipation is generally regarded as a minor problem, even normal. This is a very common problem in today’s society, mainly due to lack of exercise and diet to follow. But speaking of constipation should indicate that entry is a symptom not a disease. When we refer to it, generally we do not give a single definition. Many people mistakenly think that a deposition is essential to daily, to worry over the number of depositions, by its appearance or even consistency.
Roll of toilet paper
as a council, it is important to “reeducate” the defecation rhythm, taking a regular time for defecation.
© Net Doctor / Geri
Respect for elders, the importance lays in its constipation often, the problems that can cause and how it affects the quality of life. Real constipation in this population is difficult to learn to not always be consultation with the doctor and many older self, estimated that up to half of them at least occasionally take some sort of laxative to treat.
Definition
Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult evacuation of faces, less than once every two days. Painful defecation often requires an excessive effort to be too hard and dry stools. As a reference, indicate that the objective limits that are generally regarded as normal in the number of stool is usually somewhere between 3 stools daily and weekly stool 3.
Predisposing factors of constipation in older
as predisposing factors in the elderly should be noted that with age the intestinal transit (the passage of foods through the digestive tract) is usually slower. It also loses muscle strength needed in many stools and decreases the defecation reflex, was no stool in the rectum, which is the final portion of the large intestine where they can accumulate before being expelled, until they are too bulky for disposal normal. All this leads to a lower frequency of stools, and stools are harder. If we add that the elderly consume less fiber than the rest of the population, the dehydration from drinking too little liquid, lack of physical activity, and in many cases, continued use of laxatives and taking medication they can build, we have produced a prolonged and chronic constipation.
Constipation is a serious problem especially for those elderly living with a disability. In this group of people is very likely that the most common is the voluntary removal of the need to defecate because when there is a reflex that tells us gastronomic this need, we can not respond to it if there is no help forthcoming, so the feces accumulate in a gradual manner in the rectum and colon.
Origin and consequences of constipation in older
Constipation can be classified primarily by criteria of duration and cause, with occasional or chronic.
Causes
The causes are many and some have already been quoted. The most common among older, well appointed and the physiological changes that occur with age, are:
* Lack of physical activity and immobility
* The power inappropriately in quantity (anorexia) and quality, by lack of dietary fiber
* Drinking water shortly
* The self-medication with laxatives in chronic
* The side effect of some medications such as antidepressants, iron, aluminum antacids, diuretics, anticholinergics or uploads such as codeine.
Other sources of constipation can range from injuries to his colon which obstructs the passage of intestinal feces as tumors, post surgical changes, hernias or diverticulitis, the existence of colitis, anal fissures, hemorrhoids (internal and external) or diseases like diabetes depression, Parkinson’s, stroke or advanced dementia.
At other times they are not apparent causes and are called idiopathic constipation, which may even be associated with a lack of defecation habit. We must also think about changes in housing or residence, the lack of access to the bathroom alone (especially older or disabled who live alone) and emotional disturbances. All these causes should be considered to try to avoid serious repercussions.
Consequences
Thus, constipation in the elderly carries certain consequences can be significant and serious, especially in older immobilized. Besides the most common annoyances such as pain, bloating or discomfort in the abdomen and even headaches and moodiness, complications are more prominent or fecal impaction becalm (accumulation of hardened feces in the rectum), anal fissures produced by the great effort required and the hardness of the stool, hemorrhoids (which are not only because they can be caused by constipation) and mega colon, which is exaggerated dilatation of the colon, often due to the use Chronic laxative.
It is worth separate fecal incontinence, which may be caused directly by the feces constipation to accumulate in and cause diarrhea becalm overflow.
Treatment of constipation in older
about treatment should be individualized according to the characteristics of each elderly person; we must establish a plan of action coordinated by the doctor to try to avoid this situation again.
In most cases, constipation is solved with changes in food and customs or habits. Therefore we must insist on the correction of the factors favoring and recommend appropriate dietary hygiene, promote physical activity in older people and to mobilize those who are lodging, using laxatives in some cases (the most advisable to take long term type lubricants glycerin or mineral oil-based laxatives and fiber inabsorbibles as glucomanano).
It is important to increase fluid intake and fiber plant, with more fruits and vegetables and adding wheat bran or consuming foods marketed with natural fiber supplements, trying to reach a daily frequency in the stool. It is highly recommended that food be taken unhurriedly, slowly and chew well. It should be noted that increasing the fiber in the diet may occur initially by a feeling of discomfort or abdominal distension bloat.
If laxatives are misused may be necessary in the early days of cleansing enemas administered with great care, since then deleting it took laxatives.
As a council that should be taken into account is very important to “reeducate” the defecation rhythm, taking a regular time for defecation, for example, attempts to wake up daily in the morning or after the main meal, and if possible positions right to expel feces with minimal effort. Although each has to be to choose the most appropriate and desirable to try on a daily defecation.
With all the above, if the rhythm was normal defecation and the elderly person complains of constipation for a few hours or a few days, the most desirable is the exploration by the doctor to rule out the possibility of a bowel obstruction. Thus, we must assess the habit and defecation rhythm with the onset of episodes of constipation or continuity over time, food and other factors that can affect constipation, such as lack of physical mobility, or disabling diseases taking medication.
After a complete physical examination may indicate a series of diagnostic tests to rule out major diseases. These tests can range from analytical or opaque enemas and colonoscopies can display directly the large intestine. If possible, you should stop taking medications that can cause constipation.
It should be noted that in general we forget about the characteristics of the bathroom. Can be adapted to the toilet leaving an appropriate height and putting handrails for safety. Proper cleaning and maintenance of privacy if the older person does not need help are essential. This is to highlight perhaps the most important thing is to defecate in a comfortable, not to insist on a specific frequency.
Conclusions regarding the prevention of constipation in older
it is important that we must give the bowel a chance to run and operate correctly. The excessive concern of individuals with regard to depositions regarding the frequency and consistency can lead to excessive use of laxatives.
There are different types of laxatives, each with properties, indications and contraindications some different and should be used with caution and always under medical supervision, because they can interfere with the absorption of both food and drugs, and alter the form of severe and even unrecoverable so nervous structures of the large intestine, especially the colon. They can also cause severe loss of protein with the consequences that this entails. There are also certain contraindications that discourage their making, so it is always preferable to take a laxative supported medically, discouraging self-medication.
Tips to prevent constipation
as a series of tips to avoid constipation is advisable:
* Increase water consumption
* Provide adequate amount of fiber in the diet by consuming more fruits, vegetables and legumes and also integrated flour
* Increase consumption of olive oil
* Encourage the mobility and physical exercise by walking or with abdominal massage in persons who are bedridden or immobilized.
It also recommends trying to maintain a daily routine with respect to food and especially defecation. A daily rhythm defecation or “almost” daily habit is a slow to acquire and which put a lot of patience.
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