Methods and means of treating constipation in the elderly

Treatment of constipation in the elderly is a complex and lengthy process, therefore requires proper supervision of qualified specialists.

This will prevent possible complications that may occur if the normal functioning of the digestive tract is disturbed.

It is possible to adjust the functioning of the intestinal tract and get rid of constipation in several ways: with the help of folk medicine, drug therapy, gymnastics.

To solve this problem, you need an individual approach and qualified help.

Causes of constipation in the elderly

called disturbance in bowel habits associated with obstruction, delay defecation. Problems begin if the stool retention lasts more than 2 days.

Emptying of the intestine in a healthy person occurs regularly. Defecation is considered to be a rule 2-3 times a day up to 3 times a week.

If the urge to visit the toilet is less common, then this is considered a deviation that must be treated.

Statistics show that more than 50% of the population over 60 years of age suffer from the problem associated with delayed bowel movements.

The advanced age causes changes in the body: the muscular activity of the intestine decreases, which greatly complicates the progress of feces and their departure.

The sensitivity of the anal sphincter is weakened, so the elderly person does not always feel the natural urge. In addition to direct

difficult defecation, obstipation accompanied by pain in the abdomen, bloating occurs.

Symptoms disappear after the passage of stool. With constipation in the elderly, appetite decreases, there is an eructation, an unpleasant smell from the mouth, and cases of headache and muscle pain are not uncommon.

Untimely removal of stool from the body of an elderly person leads to intoxication, which affects the overall well-being: lack of mood, depression, weakness.

Normal functioning of the human intestine in the elderly can be disturbed by the following factors:

• insufficient amount of consumed liquid;
• unbalanced power;
• low physical activity;
• vitamin deficiency;
• taking medications.

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Systematic constipation in the elderly occur in consequence of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes.

Often the delay of defecation is caused by pathologies of the endocrine system, the gastrointestinal tract, mental disorders, prolonged stresses and depressive conditions.

Non-medicamentous ways to combat constipation

Defecation is a natural process of bowel evacuation, which to some extent is a conditioned reflex, so it can be affected if one repeats the same actions every day.

At an unconscious level, a person who does not suffer from constipation empties the intestines at about the same time of day.

In order to develop a conditioned reaction of the body, every morning after breakfast you should visit the toilet.

A glass of cold fruit juice on an empty stomach or a cup of hot tea after breakfast stimulates the contraction of the intestinal tract, contributing to the removal of stool.

Repeating such actions for a week, a person develops a "habit" to empty the intestines, which will help significantly in getting rid of constipation.

Before using constipation medication in the elderly, you should balance your diet.

Food should be taken regularly, in small portions, at least four times a day.

In the daily diet of the elderly, you need to include foods with a lot of fiber - vegetables, fruits, greens, bran, honey, sour-milk products, low-fat fish.

Complex products for digestion, such as cabbage, beans, whole milk, as well as sharp, fried, canned, sweet dishes are best removed from the menu. Sufficient should be the amount of liquid consumed, not less than 1-2 liters.

Disruption of the intestinal tract and constipation in the elderly is often the result of a sedentary lifestyle.

To improve the results of therapy will help physical activity: Scandinavian walking, swimming, gymnastics.

To solve the problem of constipation in elderly women will help special gymnastics, which contributes to the normalization of the stool and simplification of defecation.

The following exercises should be performed with constipation:

1. in the supine position, put your hands on the abdomen. When inhaling, inflate the stomach, pulling when exhaling. Hands at this time should be slightly pressed on the stomach;
2. exercise is performed lying on the back. Bend your legs as hard as you can to your stomach. Hold the position for 5 - 10 seconds, then slowly lower your legs. Repeat 5 times;
3. alternately retract and protrude the muscles of the anus.

Combating constipation in old age will help a special massage of the abdomen, which you can produce yourself. It should be done only after awakening, even before the rise from the bed.

With your fingers in the area of ​​the navel, slowly do 10 circular movements. Then, press the right foot to the stomach and hold the position for 5 - 10 seconds.

Often, disruption of the bowels and the appearance of constipation in the elderly are associated with drug treatment.

Many pharmaceutical preparations have constipation among the list of side effects. The situation can be corrected by taking laxatives.

When discontinuing therapy, the normal functioning of the intestinal tract should be restored.

Treatment of constipation with the help of folk remedies

Traditional medicine will help you to get rid of constipation, stabilize the stool and normalize the bowel.

These prescriptions should be used with caution in the treatment of constipation in the elderly. Many of them can cause side effects.

Effective are mixtures of dried fruits and nuts.

They will not have a negative effect on the body and help get rid of the disease.

To help with constipation in the elderly people can folk remedies prepared according to the following recipes:

1. prunes, raisins, dried apricots and nuts mixed in equal proportions( 80 - 100 g) and grinded. Add honey and chopped senna leaves to the mixture. Stirring to a homogeneous mass, the mixture obtained in the evening take 1 teaspoonful;
2. before grinding, mix 50 grams of grapefruit, ginger, prunes, honey and herbs of Senna into a homogeneous mass. Take the prepared mixture daily for 1 dessert spoon, preferably closer to the end of the day;
3. for 350 ml of hot water add 30 g of raisins. After several hours of infusion in a thermos bottle, take 0.5 glasses daily.

To fix the work of the gastrointestinal tract and solve the problem of constipation will help infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs.

For this purpose, use the root of burdock, licorice, bark of alder, buckthorn, dandelion leaves, rowan, lingonberry, anise.

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Treatment of constipation with herbs can be done according to the following recipes, having consulted a doctor beforehand:

1. berries of mountain ash fill up with abundant amounts of sugar and insist for 30 days. After that, separate the syrup and add 30 ml of vodka for every 0.5 l. Infusion use on an empty stomach, previously lowering its concentration with water;
2. infusion of fruits of cranberries is useful in case of occasional constipation. In a small pot of water pour a glass of berries, prepare a decoction, which is infused 8-9 hours with the lid closed. Take 1 glass before the main meal;
3. grind the fruits of anise, leaves of Senna, dandelion and bark of buckthorn in the same proportions. In a glass of hot water, brew 1 teaspoon of the resulting mixture and press for half an hour. Drink broth shortly before sleeping.

Medication for the treatment of constipation

If the work of the intestine is not restored, and constipation does not pass through the above methods( diet, massage, exercise, folk remedies), then prescribe laxatives.

With regular constipation, the cause of their formation should be clarified. Proceeding from this, it is necessary to start treatment of constipation by selecting the appropriate method.

Timely and accurate diagnosis of the causes of constipation will allow to get rid of the disease in the shortest possible time.

Medication for constipation is the use of safe and at the same time effective medicines.

Tablets from constipation in the elderly are divided into several groups, according to the principle of their action:

• prebiotics;
• preparations of irritant action;
• osmotic means.

Prebiotics, including lacto- and bifidobacteria, are used to normalize the microflora of the intestinal tract.

If the number of beneficial bacteria in the lumen of the gut decreases, then toxins are formed, which are the cause of constipation.

The medicine, in turn, replenishes these losses, but the problem does not solve the given pill from constipation in the elderly. They are used in complex therapy.

Prebiotics also activate the motor activity of the intestine, eliminate chronic constipation in the elderly, block the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria.

These include Dufalac, Hilak forte, Prelax, Lactulose, Normase, Lactofiltrum. Better if the use of prebiotics in the treatment of constipation appoint a doctor.

The most effective constipation tablets in the elderly are irritant drugs.

By acting on the nerve endings of the large intestine, they stimulate a contraction of the musculature.

These constipation products are fast-acting( within 7-8 hours), but their prolonged use can lead to a decrease in the tone of the intestinal muscles and a decrease in peristalsis, as well as to become addictive.

Laxatives of this group have many side effects. These include: Bisacodyl, Sodium picosulphate, Laxatin, Laxbene, castor oil, Senadé, Regulax, Dulcolax.

If you need to eliminate chronic constipation in the elderly, osmotic laxatives can be used.

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They contribute to the simultaneous cleaning of the intestine in case of prolonged constipation.

These are safer drugs for constipation in the elderly compared to irritating drugs and can be taken for a long time.

Osmotic preparations have no effect on the smooth muscles of the intestine and can not lead to "lazy gut syndrome", which is characterized by a mild muscle contraction.

The effect of this group of drugs is to increase the stool by accumulating fluid from the blood plasma and fatty tissues.

The following constipation preparations have osmolithic effect: Fortrans, Sodium sulfate, Karlovy Vary salt.

To prevent unpleasant sensations arising from difficulty in emptying the intestines, and as a consequence, prolonged treatment, prevention of constipation in the elderly is necessary.

In most cases, in order for the ailment to recede, it is enough to change the way of life: to balance nutrition, to move more, to give time to physical exertion - these are the main aspects of a healthy future.