Constipation will be uncomfortable and worrisome. In the event you’re having fewer bowel actions than common, taking a very long time to move stools, or the stools are exhausting, chances are you’ll be constipated.
Almost everybody turns into constipated at one time or one other, and older persons are extra seemingly than youthful ones to expertise this situation. Actually, about one-third of older adults have occasional signs of constipation. The excellent news is that more often than not constipation isn’t critical and is treatable.
Signs of constipation
Some individuals fear they’re constipated in the event that they don’t have a bowel motion on daily basis, however there isn’t a “proper” variety of day by day or weekly bowel actions. Being common will be completely different for every individual. For some, it might imply twice a day, and for others, thrice per week is regular. Nonetheless, when you typically have rare bowel actions, chances are you’ll be constipated.
Signs of constipation embrace:
- Fewer than three bowel actions per week
- Tough time passing stools
- Lumpy or exhausting stools
- A sense of being blocked or of not having totally emptied your bowels.
What causes constipation?
Many medical circumstances frequent for older adults, in addition to drugs, could cause constipation.
Medical circumstances
- Problems that have an effect on the muscle tissues or nerves used for regular bowel actions — for instance, stroke, Parkinson’s illness, or a spinal twine harm — could cause constipation.
- Situations that have an effect on hormones or metabolism, equivalent to diabetes, also can result in constipation.
- Different medical circumstances that may result in constipation embrace tumors or different blockages, pelvic ground issues, and gastrointestinal issues equivalent to irritable bowel syndrome.
- Modifications in weight loss program and train because of medical procedures also can result in constipation.
As well as, individuals dwelling with illnesses that have an effect on their weight loss program and day by day habits, equivalent to Alzheimer’s illness or one other type of dementia, could also be extra more likely to expertise constipation.
Medicines and dietary dietary supplements
Some medicines — each prescription and over-the-counter — can result in constipation.
- These embrace some medicine used to deal with melancholy, antacids containing aluminum or calcium, some allergy medicines (antihistamines), sure painkillers, some medicines for hypertension, diuretics, anticholinergics, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, and medicines used to deal with Parkinson’s illness.
- Sure dietary dietary supplements, equivalent to iron, also can result in constipation.
- Anesthesia, which is used throughout medical procedures to maintain an individual from feeling ache, also can result in constipation.
Vitamin, exercise, and routine
What you eat, drink, and do also can contribute to constipation. For instance:
- Not sufficient fiber. You might grow to be constipated when you don’t eat sufficient high-fiber meals, equivalent to greens, fruits, and complete grains. Consuming lots of high-fat meats, dairy merchandise and eggs, sweets, or processed meals might trigger constipation.
- Not sufficient fluids. Water and different fluids assist fiber work higher, so not ingesting sufficient liquids can contribute to more durable stools which might be tougher to move.
- Lack of bodily exercise. Not getting sufficient train or lengthy durations of inactivity because of sickness or following surgical procedure might trigger constipation.
- Modifications in routine. Altering your day by day routine — touring, for instance — could cause constipation.
Therapy for constipation
Many instances of constipation will be handled at residence. Attempt these adjustments to assist make your stools softer and simpler to move and to forestall constipation sooner or later.
- Eat a nutritious diet. Your weight loss program ought to comprise ample pure fiber from sources like contemporary vegatables and fruits, both cooked or uncooked, together with whole-grain cereals and breads. Study extra about how a lot fiber you want every day, why fiber is essential, and examples of high-fiber meals on the Vitamin.gov Fiber web page.
- Make sure you get sufficient fluids. With too little fluid, constipation can worsen. Ingesting sufficient water, juice, and different fluids can assist you could have common bowel actions. Study extra about what to eat and drink when you’re constipated.
- Keep lively. Do issues that maintain you shifting and lively. For instance, go for walks. Take part in bodily exercise that you simply take pleasure in and make it part of your on a regular basis life.
There are additionally a number of over-the-counter laxatives, together with fiber dietary supplements and stool softeners, that will assist with constipation. Your physician or different well being care supplier can assist you resolve which laxatives could also be finest for you.
If these adjustments don’t work or you’re experiencing ache, bleeding, or different critical signs, discuss along with your physician about different remedies. Your physician might counsel adjustments to your weight loss program or exercise; prescribe a complement or treatment for constipation; or advocate biofeedback coaching, which helps individuals study to regulate their muscle tissues via using digital gadgets and a coach. In some uncommon instances, surgical procedure could also be beneficial, for instance, to deal with a blockage or take away a part of the colon if these muscle tissues don’t work. Discuss along with your physician in regards to the dangers and advantages of surgical procedure and different remedies.
You might also be curious about
-
When do you have to see a physician?
Generally constipation generally is a symptom of extra extreme sickness, together with colorectal and different forms of most cancers. See your physician or different well being care supplier in case your bowel habits change and are accompanied by any one of many following:
- There’s blood in your stool or you’re bleeding out of your rectum
- You’re having critical abdomen pains or are unable to move fuel
- You’re vomiting or have a fever
- You drop extra pounds with out making an attempt
- You’re experiencing decrease again ache
- Fiber and train haven’t helped
Go to the NIH Nationwide Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Illnesses (NIDDK) academic web page on constipation for extra data on attainable causes and coverings.
For extra details about constipation
This content material is supplied by the NIH Nationwide Institute on Getting older (NIA). NIA scientists and different specialists assessment this content material to make sure it’s correct and updated.
Content material reviewed:
