Causes, symptoms and treatment of constipation in the elderly

In developed countries, the lack of defecation for several days affects 10 to 50% of the adult population, especially constipation in the elderly. Constipation is often repeated total absence of stool for more than 2 days and difficulty with emptying caused by impaired motor Activity of both the whole gastrointestinal tract and the colon.

Emptying is considered difficult in the presence of dense dry stool, traumatizing the area of the anus; With a feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestine; If necessary, strong attempts or finger removal of stool from the rectum, despite the presence in it of soft contents and the urge to emptying.

Causes of constipation:

1. Disturbance of nutrition:

- reduction of water consumption;

- insufficient amount of food and dietary fibers that contribute to a decrease in stool volume;

- compliance with certain diseases (gastritis, peptic ulcer disease) strict, mechanically and chemically sparing diet with restriction of plant fiber;

- the use of chemically purified, completely water-soluble products, such as specialized concentrates (enpi, impatin, ovolokt, nutritec, etc.), which are used in diseases of the maxillofacial area, pancreas, neurological diseases (stroke, multiple sclerosis etc.) Oncological diseases, after surgical operations and traumas;

- untimely food intake (for example, neglect of breakfast can lead to impaired intestinal stimulation).

2. Lack of motor activity.

3. Mechanical disorders of intestinal permeability (adhesions, polyps, tumors and other intestinal diseases), often requiring surgical treatment.

4. Disorders associated with diseases of the large intestine, endocrine system diseases, kidney diseases.

5. Use of certain medications.

Symptoms of chronic constipation:

• Violation of defecation;
• Rumbling, feeling of overflow, bursting, sometimes swelling in the abdomen;
• Nausea, belching, unpleasant taste and smell from the mouth;
• stomach ache;
• Weakness, insomnia, the development of depression.

Treatment of constipation in the elderly

For the treatment of constipation in the first place, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the causes of their occurrence. In the absence of reasons requiring surgical intervention, the main emphasis is on therapeutic nutrition, phytotherapy, physical activity, including special exercises. Treatment of constipation in the elderly, along with the above implies the intake (no more than two weeks) of laxative drugs (recommended by a doctor).

It is always necessary to remember that uncontrolled intake of most laxatives is dangerous. First, there is an accustoming of the organism to them with the necessity of constant increase in doses, as well as the intestinal addiction to constant stimulation from the outside, which ceases to work independently, which, of course, complicates the treatment of constipation, in the elderly in particular. Secondly, with prolonged admission they cause flatulence, abdominal pain, intractable diarrhea, damage to the kidneys and liver, allergic reactions.

Treatment of constipation in the elderly includes the use of drugs that normalize the composition of intestinal bacteria: baktisubtila, bifidum-bacterinum, bifikola, lactobacterin, linex, normobakta, hilak-forte and others.

Prevention of constipation

To prevent constipation, timely treatment of bowel diseases, a mobile lifestyle, abdominal massage, the use of sufficient amounts of liquid, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fermented milk products is necessary.