Coping With Constipation

Constipation is a common complaint of many older adults. You can't watch TV or read a magazine without seeing ads for remedies to treat or prevent this uncomfortable ailment.

Although shelves of these products are readily available in drugstores, older adults are often embarrassed to admit that they are suffering from irregular bowels. As a caregiver it will be helpful to understand how constipation can affect your parent's comfort and overall health.

WHAT IS CONSTIPATION?

Being constipated means different things to different people. Some older adults think that not having a bowel movement every day is a sure sign that something is amiss. For others, constipation means straining, producing small, hard stools or feeling that the bowel has not been thoroughly emptied. To doctors, constipation means going without a bowel movement for longer than three days.

CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION

Difficult bowel movements can be caused by a variety of conditions. Some are as simple as not eating enough foods containing fiber or drinking enough liquids, while others may be a sign of serious intestinal disorders. Constipation is common in people with Parkinson's disease, diabetes and other diseases that affect muscles or nerves. Thyroid disorders may cause a sluggish intestine and so can lack of exercise. Constipation occurs frequently in hospital patients and nursing home residents who spend most of their time in bed or a chair with little physical activity.

• Pain relievers containing narcotics or codeine
• Antispasmodics, prescribed for certain bladder conditions
• Diuretics and heart medicines

Hemorrhoids (swelling and inflammation of blood vessels in the rectum or anus) can cause constipation and are easily treated with medication. Constipation accompanied by rectal bleeding can be a sign of colon cancer. If your parent complains about a sudden change in bowel habits or notices bleeding after a bowel movement he or she should see a physician immediately. Colon cancer can be treated successfully if diagnosed in its early stages.

HOME REMEDIES FOR CONSTIPATION

For most people constipation can be managed with a few simple lifestyle changes.

Try these home remedies if your parent complains of feeling "stopped up":

• Encourage him to drink at least three glasses water daily – well before bedtime to decrease night time trips to the bathroom.
• Serve whole grain breads, bran cereals fresh fruits and vegetables at every meal.
• Add a daily walk, yard work, and other physical activities to his daily routine.
• Encourage him to use the bathroom at the same time each day or whenever he feels an urge to go.

Give these remedies time to work. If your parent's intestinal health doesn't improve or if he complains of other symptoms like blood in the stool, serious stomach pain or weight loss, schedule an appointment with his physician. Using over-the-counter laxatives and enemas to treat constipation should be avoided. Overuse of laxatives can interfere with normal bowel function. Your parent should talk to the doctor before he tries these remedies.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CONSTIPATION

Constipation is one of those ailments that no one wants to talk about although almost everyone suffers from this unpleasant condition from time to time. Some people feel more comfortable discussing sensitive health conditions like constipation with a professional.

As a concerned caregiver, if you suspect that your older parent might be suffering from bowel problems, make some changes in her diet and encourage her to be more physically active. If these home remedies don't help, encourage her to schedule an appointment with her doctor to discuss her symptoms and available treatment choices.