Folk and pharmacy laxatives for constipation for the elderly

Laxatives for constipation for the elderly are a fairly popular class of medicines, as more than half of pensioners suffer from digestive disorders.

Constipation is the systematic absence of stools lasting more than 2 days.

This phenomenon, like constipation, occurs in any population group, but most often it affects older people due to the fact that with age in the body there are a number of specific changes.

Annoying laxative agents

Today on the shelves of pharmacies you can see a large number of different laxatives, But the vast majority of these funds do not treat constipation, but only provide one-time help.

Laxatives have a different mechanism of action, but older people tend to use irritating laxatives.

The bulk of these drugs is of vegetable origin. They irritate the receptors of the colon, which leads to a reduction in the walls of the organ and the resumption of peristalsis.

Annoying laxatives are the most numerous and popular group of drugs. Their feature is the lack of quick action.

Having drunk a Senadé tablet or other medicine that irritates the intestines, it can only be emptied after 6 to 12 hours.

In addition to Senada, the popular remedies of this group include buckthorn bark and more modern medicines: tablets Guttalaks, Pirilaks, Regulax, candles from constipation for the elderly Bisakodil.

It is better to use irritants only as an emergency aid if there are rare problems with the stool.

For the elderly, they are only suitable relatively, since constipation in this category of patients is not episodic, but systematic.

Regular intake of irritating laxatives is fraught with severe complications, such as intestinal atony, when the walls of the colon lose the ability to self-contract.

If you regularly treat constipation with irritating medications, then this condition can become chronic, which in severe cases can lead to even a severe pathology, like intestinal obstruction.

The main advantage of this class of drugs can be attributed to their low price. This bribing acts on the elderly who purchase preparations of the Senade type more readily than the more expensive drugs.

But gastroenterologists believe that this group of medications with constant admission can be dangerous, since it only works at the level of the large intestine and does not eliminate the cause of constipation.

In addition, scientists have demonstrated the carcinogenic risk of senna drugs. The carcinogenic effect depends on the frequency of the laxative.

With a single admission, it does not appear, but with a systematic there is a risk of colon cancer.

Osmotic laxatives

Osmotic or saline laxatives are time-tested - these drugs have been popular for many decades.

They do not irritate mechanically intestinal receptors, as do preparations of the previous group, but dilute the intestinal contents, not allowing it to be absorbed into the walls of the intestine.

As a result, the chyme presses on the intestine, and the organ begins to contract, which leads to its rapid emptying.

Drugs of this class help to cleanse the intestines when poisoning. They contribute to rapid evacuation of food along with toxins, not allowing it to be absorbed.

Osmotic laxatives are suitable for treating constipation in the elderly, but only as an emergency measure.

Ophthalmic medications without pain relieve even a severe constipation lasting more than 48 hours.

They lead to soft bowel movements and do not cause intestinal cramps. The effect can be expected already in 2 hours after administration, but for this salt saline should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach.

Glauber's salt, Magnesia belong to this class of preparations. For modern drugs of this type is Fortrans.

All laxative osmotic effects are contraindicated in children, but an elderly person with such a means of constipation can provide invaluable help.

Saline laxatives can lead to severe dehydration of the body, so they can not be used on an ongoing basis.

Important: for hypotension magnesium can not be used as a laxative, as it will further lower blood pressure.

Castor oil seems to work, which many know as an effective laxative, time-tested. Castor irritates the intestines chemically.

In the small intestine it is split into simple components, one of which - ricinoleic acid - irritates the receptors of the large intestine.

The drug acts five to six hours after admission. Kastorka stimulates the reduction not only of the intestines, but also of the uterus, so it is forbidden to use it in pregnancy, but older people can successfully use castor oil to speed up defecation.

Osmotic laxatives do not lead to addiction, but with a systematic admission they disrupt the work of the vessels, which prevents them from being used as a regular laxative for constipation for the elderly.

Prebiotics as a remedy for constipation in the elderly

Prebiotics are drugs that can accumulate in the lower intestinal segments and accelerate the growth of useful microflora.

This contributes to the normalization of the work of the whole gastrointestinal tract, including the restoration of normal defecation.

However, prebiotics can act as light laxatives, combining the mechanism of action of osmotic and irritating agents.

Prebiotic drugs retain fluid in the large intestine, dissolve the feces, but at the same time stimulate the receptors of the intestinal musculature.

Prebiotics can be used by the elderly for a long time. The effect from them can be noticed quickly - already after one and a half two hours after receiving the first desires arise.

Prebiotics are allowed to be used daily by the elderly as a laxative and preventive agent. To this class of drugs is Dufalac.

Home laxatives for the elderly

Vegetable oils are very common folk remedies for constipation in the elderly. These include all familiar vegetable oils( sunflower, almond, etc.), glycerin and petroleum jelly.

The last two oils are used in the composition of rectal suppositories. Such preparations soften fecal masses and improve their progression over the large intestine. The effect manifests itself after 3 to 6 hours.

Oil is an excellent folk remedy for constipation in the elderly.

It can be taken by people with any arterial pressure( high or low), it is safe to treat constipation with folk remedies in elderly people suffering from hemorrhoids and hernias.

With long-term intake of oil, encourage uncontrolled stool removal. Another drawback of oils - they can have a carcinogenic effect and contribute to weight gain.

For regular emptying of the intestine, it is better to use not some kind of preparation, even natural, made from vegetable raw materials, or a combination of medicines, but a diet and the right way of life.

Video:

The fact that between the digestion of a person and his age there is a direct and very close relationship, doctors of various specialties confirm.

The first significant stage in the restructuring of the body occurs around the age of 45, when the hormonal background changes.

At this age, the speed of digestion decreases and, at the same time, the need for food necessary to cover the needs of an aging organism also changes.

Further, as they say, more. Therefore, in order to adequately meet old age, to avoid many diseases and not to lose power sooner than the time, the smallest thing any elderly person can and should do is to reconsider his diet.

Doctors say that it is only necessary to adjust digestion, and the elderly person's well-being improves noticeably until a good mood returns to him.

After fifty with a constipation many face. This is not surprising, because the stomach is not the same, and accompanying diseases of the intestine to this age is accumulated abound, so there is nothing strange in this behavior of the body.

Many solve the problem with pharmacy laxatives, but there are people who consider laxative candles for constipation too radical measure, leaving a negative imprint on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, and preferring more gentle folk laxatives for constipation.

Food that can be used as a laxative

You can get rid of constipation with the help of therapeutic nutrition. It helps to empty the bowels faster, food rich in fiber - it's oatmeal and buckwheat porridge, vegetables, berries, greens, sour-milk products.

In order for the stool to leave the bowel in time, the body should have enough water. Elderly people should drink a day at least one and a half liters of clean water.

In addition, you need to move as much as health will allow. In bedridden patients, constipation occurs 3 times more often than those who can walk.

For recumbent patients, laxatives are selected only by a doctor. All other categories of elderly people can cope with constipation without using any medications.

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If you use a medicinal laxative, then you need to choose a drug from among those that do not lead to addiction.

Include in the diet boiled grated beets, prunes, carrot juice, acidophilus, kefir, apples, grated carrots.

These products are inexpensive and affordable for an elderly person with any income level, at the same time they have not only nutritional, but medicinal value, accelerating the evacuation of stool from the intestine.

Even the berries of an ordinary viburnum harvested in the forest, which can be used as a filling for pies or jams, have a lax effect.

It's not for nothing that people who have a summer cottage never suffer from constipation - the harvest of berries, fruits and vegetables is enough for a whole year.

A good way to set up bowel emptying is to fall in love with a regular pumpkin, and it can be eaten both in raw and thermally processed form - in any case it will be useful as a mild laxative.

Usual kefir will help to get rid of constipation - 500 milliliters of fermented milk product is mixed with 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil and taken every day before going to bed for two weeks. During this time, the peristalsis is restored, and the constipation disappears for a long time.

Those who do not like vegetables and kefir, can include in the diet bran, flax seeds or sea kale: they contain many indigestible components that will irritate the intestinal wall and stimulate defecation.

But such laxatives with constipation for the elderly have one drawback - they can cause flatulence.

The intake of these food supplements must necessarily be accompanied by drinking water.

After taking bran, flax seed or dry sea kale, relief can be expected after 12 hours.

So, the pharmacy medicine with a laxative effect is suitable as a symptomatic treatment for exacerbation of the disease.

Elderly people, as well as other categories of the population, should use not so much medications to get rid of constipation as to a proper diet and reasonable motor activity.

Get rid of constipation will help a natural diet, rich in plant fibers, and special gymnastic exercises.

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These products will not harm your health and at the same time help to regulate the regular release of the intestines from stool.

Laxatives in candles and tablets should be left in the home medicine cabinet as an emergency measure, when a failure in the diet, for example, a festive feast, will lead to the appearance of acute constipation.