Constipation in the elderly: treatment with folk remedies

Constipation is an unpleasant and even painful phenomenon that each of us faces from time to time. They can be caused by various reasons, but they are most often found in older people, and it is much more difficult for them to get rid of the trouble. How to deal with constipation in adulthood and prevent their appearance?

The cause of constipation in old age

Age-related changes that occur in the body after 60 years affect all systems and organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. Digestive enzymes begin to be secreted in a smaller volume, the number of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine decreases, and the muscles responsible for peristalsis lose their tone. These processes have a negative effect on the function of the gastrointestinal tract, the feces become dense and form the so-called stones. The process of defecation is significantly hampered, ulcers and cracks form on the mucous membranes of the intestines, constipation is aggravated and becomes permanent.

Symptoms of constipation in older adults include:

• lack of bowel movements for several days or an increase in the intervals between them;
• feces resembling dense, hard balls (the so-called "sheep" feces);
• difficult act of defecation;
• insufficient bowel movement.

Constipation can only be talked about in cases where rare acts of bowel movement cause discomfort to a person. Some people rarely go to the toilet, but if the state of health remains normal, then there are no problems with peristalsis.

Treatment of constipation with laxatives

The most common way to treat constipation is to take laxatives, but getting carried away with such remedies in old age is not recommended. The use of laxatives, even if they consist of natural ingredients, is addictive and negatively affects intestinal motility. In other words, laxatives can only be used in isolated cases.

Everything pharmacy remedies for constipation are divided into four categories: irritants, osmotic, prebiotics and bulking agents, each of which has its own characteristics of the effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

Group of laxatives	Features of the impact	Indications and side effects	Drugs
Irritant drugs	Have a direct irritating effect on the large intestine, which activates its peristalsis	With regular use, a serious complication develops, characterized by regular constipation, malabsorption of nutrients, abdominal pain	Bisacodyl, Guttalax, Regulax, Herbion Laksana, Senalex
Osmotic laxatives	They have the ability to retain fluid in the intestines, thereby facilitating the process of defecation	Unlike irritating drugs, osmotic agents do not contribute to the deterioration of intestinal motility, but when constant use cause loss of fluid and electrolytes, which is fraught with problems with cardiovascular system	Karlovy Vary salt, Epsom salt, magnesia, "Macrogol", "Forlax", "Realaksan", "Microlax"
Prebiotics	Preparations that combine the features of the effects of irritating and osmotic laxatives. In addition, they promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and restore normal bowel function.	The safest group of drugs that can be used for acute and chronic constipation. Side effects include flatulence and increased gas production, and the disadvantages include delayed exposure - defecation occurs approximately 2-3 days after ingestion	Duphalac, Portalak, Lactulose, Lactitol, Romfalak
Bulk products (dietary fiber)	Once in the intestines, these funds are not digested, but swell, attract moisture and increase the volume of intestinal contents, contributing to normal bowel movements	Taking funds requires increased fluid intake, which is not always possible, especially with problems with urination. Stretching of the intestinal wall causes flatulence, rumbling in the abdomen, and bloating	Methylcellulose, sterculia, flaxseed, bran

Before taking any of the laxatives, you should consult your doctor, as well as read the instructions and contraindications.

Treatment of constipation with folk recipes

Folk remedies are safer for the health of the elderly than pharmaceutical preparations, but their use can also cause certain side effects, therefore, requires caution when use.

Water

Constipation can be effectively treated with simple drinking water. In the morning before breakfast, you should drink 2-3 glasses of water, and 1-2 glasses should be warm, and one should be hot. Another way is that 15 minutes before breakfast you need to drink a glass of hot water, sip it with a spoon, after why take a few deep breaths so as to engage the abdominal muscles - alternately inflate and retract stomach.

Oils

The safest method of dealing with constipation in the elderly is vegetable oils. Before each meal, you should drink a tablespoon of unrefined product, and it is best to take linseed, pumpkin or olive oil. In addition, they should be added to salads and main courses.

Vegetable juices

In case of intestinal disorders, it is useful not only to eat fresh vegetables, but also to prepare fresh juices from them. The following mixtures are most effective:

• pumpkin juice along with carrot juice;
• beet, carrot and cucumber juices in equal proportions;
• tomato juice with cucumber and onion;
• cabbage juice with tomato.

Juices must be mixed in equal proportions and drunk immediately after preparation, 150-200 ml at a time 2-3 times a day.

Dried fruits

Dried fruit is a safe and tasty laxative that can be consumed in any amount. A common way of using these products is to brew 2-3 fruits with a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, drink the infusion on an empty stomach, and then eat the fruit.

To prepare the medicinal mixture, you need to twist in a meat grinder a glass of dried apricots, prunes, light raisins, walnuts nuts, mix, add half a liter of honey, a third of a glass of flax seed and leaves of a plant called hay. The treatment regimen is as follows: in the morning, drink two glasses of cold water, and then eat a tablespoon of the medicine. You should continue to use until the remedy ends, then take a thirty-day break and repeat the course.

Another recipe contains figs, which are also highly effective in combating constipation. 100 g each of figs, dried apricots, prunes, honey, olive oil and hay. Grind all components in a meat grinder, mix well, use a teaspoon before going to bed with a glass of warm water.

It is important to note that uncontrolled intake of hay can cause hyperpigmentation of the intestinal mucous membranes - they become dark, as a result of which the risk of developing cancerous tumors increases.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb root is one of the most powerful laxatives used in traditional medicine. Do not abuse this product as it can be addictive. To prepare the medicine, grind several roots of the plant, take two tablespoons of raw materials, brew 250 ml of hot water and leave for 15 minutes. Take 100 g at night no more than once every seven days.

Medicinal plants

There are many medicinal plants that have a laxative effect and help fight constipation. Before using any of them, you need to consult a doctor, since some herbs are potent drugs, have contraindications and side effects.

1. Plantain seeds. The seeds of this plant contain mucus, which significantly improves gastrointestinal motility. With a glass of boiling water, brew two tablespoons of seeds, heat to a boil, close the container and leave for several hours. Drink on an empty stomach in a tablespoon once a day.
   

   Plantain seeds

2. Toadflax. Pour toadflax grass with vodka in a ratio of 2 to 10, leave for two weeks in a dark place. Take 2-3 times a day before meals, two teaspoons, which should be diluted in 50 ml of water.
   

   Dried toadflax

3. Burdock root. Dried burdock roots, grind into powder on a coffee grinder. Take two tablespoons of ground root, pour half a liter of hot water. Drink ¾ glass three times a day 10-15 minutes before a meal. You can make a medicine from raw roots: grate it, take two tablespoons of gruel, pour half a liter of cold water, leave for 12 hours, then strain and drink as directed higher.
   

   Burdock root

4. Rowan. Rowan berries must be collected before the first frost, poured into a glass container, covered with sugar. After a month, drain the resulting juice, add alcohol at the rate of 25 ml per half liter of juice. Take 25-50 ml on an empty stomach in the morning.
   

   Rowan berry tincture

5. Collection number 1. Stir 100 g of buckthorn bark, toadflax herb, marshmallow root, 75 g each plantain and flax seeds. Take three tablespoons of the collection, steam with three glasses of boiling water, leave until morning. Strain, drink four times a day, 150 g one hour before a meal.
   

   Buckthorn bark

6. Collection number 2. Prepare 5 g of dandelion roots, 15 g of buckthorn bark, 10 g of nettle leaves. Stir the plants, steam 5 of the resulting collection with a glass of hot water, boil for 10 minutes. Cool the broth, filter, consume 100 three times a day, 15 minutes before eating.
   

   Nettle leaves: properties

7. Collection number 3. Mix 10 g of anise and mustard seeds with 10 g of buckthorn bark, 15 g of licorice root and 5 g of yarrow. Steam 5 g of raw materials with 250 ml of hot water, boil for 10 minutes, filter the liquid, drink as indicated in the previous recipe.

   

   Anise seeds

   

   Mustard seeds

   

   Buckthorn bark

   
   

   

   Liquorice root

   

   Yarrow

   
   

Diet for constipation

The body of the elderly does not react to the diet as efficiently as the body of the young, but a certain diet must be followed, otherwise the state of the gastrointestinal tract may worsen. Intestinal motility is enhanced by the following foods:

• vegetables in any form;
• from fruits - apricots, peaches, melons, plums;
• unsalted lard;
• cereal dishes cooked in water or vegetable broth, with the exception of semolina and rice groats;
• first courses in weak meat broth;
• white fish and poultry;
• stale rye bread;
• fermented milk products with low fat content.

Dishes should be eaten warm, in small portions, chewing food well. The diet must contain raw vegetable oils. Elderly people should exclude potatoes, legumes, confectionery and baked goods, red meat, coffee and tea from the menu.

Constipation is an actual problem for the elderly, but with proper nutrition and the use of safe laxatives, bowel function will quickly return to normal.

Video - Diet for constipation