Managing chronic constipation in older adults is an important part of improving their quality of life. You can help them manage constipation with a variety of methods, including laxatives. It is also possible to treat constipation using medication.
To resolve constipation, the first step is to increase fiber intake. Fiber helps move food through the colon. It also reduces hard and dry stool. To soften stools, you should add water into their bowels. Some older adults will need to use suppositories to soften impacted stools. These suppositories can be used safely and won't harm the colon.
Keep a log of your bowel movements. This will help your healthcare provider identify the source of the constipation. The record will also help to identify new symptoms. Talk to your older adult's health care provider if constipation is a concern. They might be able to prescribe an oral laxative or enema to alleviate the symptoms.
Many times, constipation in older adults can be attributed to lifestyle choices. For example, lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to constipation. Certain medical conditions, medications, and hormone imbalances are also possible causes of constipation. Because each individual is different, diagnosing constipation may be difficult. There are several tests that can be done to identify the root cause.
American Society for Gastroenterology recommends older adults have their pelvic floor dysfunction evaluated. Biofeedback may be an option to manage the condition. You may also want to take a rectal exam. This will enable your doctor to determine if constipation has become an emergency.
Constipated older adults should consider increasing fluid intake. This is especially important if they are taking medications that interfere with bowel movement. These medications include pain medicine, iron supplements and calcium channel blockers. It is also an excellent idea to increase your exercise.
A daily journal of your bowel movements can be helpful in determining the cause of constipation. Keep track of any medications you take and how many stool you pass each day. You can also take notes about any changes in your diet. A few foods that may trigger a bowel move include prunes, prune juice, prune juice, prunes, or prune liqueur.
Constipation is a problem that can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage. It can impact your daily activities, like eating and walking. It may cause you to feel bloated and have abdominal pain. You may also experience difficulty passing stool. You may also experience nausea and bloody stool.
If you or a loved one are experiencing constipation you should consult your doctor. You can talk to your healthcare provider to find out if it is an emergency. They can also help you to create a plan for getting them back on track.
FAQ
How can you live your best life every day?
Find out what makes YOU happy. This is the first step in living a life that you love. Once you have a clear understanding of what makes you happy you can go backwards. You can also inquire about the lives of others.
You can also find books such as "How to Live Your Best Life" written by Dr. Wayne Dyer. He talks about finding happiness and fulfillment in all aspects of our lives.
What causes weight loss as we age?
How can you determine if your bodyweight is changing?
When there is more muscle mass than fat, weight loss can occur. This means that you must consume more calories than you use daily. Activity levels are the most common reason for weight loss. Other causes include illness, stress, pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, certain medications, and poor eating habits. If there is more body fat than muscle mass, then weight gain can occur. It happens when people eat more calories than they use during a given day. The most common causes are overeating, increased activity, hormonal changes, and excessive calories.
The main reason why our bodies lose weight is because we consume fewer calories than we burn. When we exercise regularly, we increase our metabolism rate which burns off more calories throughout the day. This does not necessarily mean that we will get thinner. All that matters is whether we are losing or gaining weight. Weight loss is possible if you burn more calories than you consume. If we consume more calories that we burn, then we are actually storing them in fat.
As we age, we become less agile and don't move as often. We also tend to consume less food than when we were younger. Also, we are more likely to gain weight. We also tend to look larger because we have more muscle.
There's no way to tell how much weight you've lost unless you weigh yourself every week. There are many different ways to measure your weight. You can also measure your waistline, your hips or your thighs. Some prefer to use bathroom scales, while others prefer tape measures.
To track your progress, weigh yourself once a week. Measure your waistline once per month. To see how far you have come, you can take photos of yourself every few month.
Online measurements of your height, weight and body mass can help you determine how much. If you are 5'10" tall, and you weigh 180 lbs, then you would probably weigh 180 lbs.
What is the difference of fat and sugar?
Fat is an energy source from food. Sugar is a sweet substance found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Both sugars, and fats, have the same calories. Fats however, have more calories than sugars.
Fats are stored in the body and contribute to obesity. They can lead to cholesterol buildup in the arteries, which could cause heart attacks or strokes.
Sugars are quickly absorbed by the body and provide instant energy. This causes blood glucose to rise. High blood glucose levels can be dangerous because it increases the risk of developing type II diabetes.
How can I get enough vitamins?
Your diet can provide most of your daily requirements. However, if you are deficient in any particular vitamin, taking supplements can help. Multivitamin supplements can be taken that contain all the vitamins you need. You can also buy individual vitamins at your local pharmacy.
Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about getting enough nutrients. For example, dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, bok choy, romaine lettuce, arugula, and Swiss chard are rich in vitamins K and E. Other good sources include oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and squash.
Ask your doctor for advice if you are unsure how much vitamin to take. Based on your medical history, and current health status, your doctor will recommend the right dosage.
What should you eat?
Take in lots of fruits and veggies. They are high in vitamins and minerals, which can help strengthen your immune system. They are also rich in fiber, which is good for digestion and makes fruits and vegetables filling. Include at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
Make sure you drink plenty of water too. Water flushes out toxins and helps you feel full between meals. Drink about eight glasses each day.
Whole grains are better than refined grains. Whole grains have all their nutrients intact, including B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and protein. Refined grains have been stripped of some of their nutrition.
Avoid sugary drinks. Sugary drinks are full of empty calories and lead to obesity. Instead, you can opt for water or milk, as well as unsweetened herbal teas.
Avoid fast food. Fast food lacks nutritional value. It may taste great but it won't give you the energy you need to function properly. Stick to healthier options such as salads, soups, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
Limit your alcohol intake. Avoid alcohol as it can cause empty calories and poor nutrition. Limit your intake to two alcoholic drinks per week.
Reduce the consumption of red meat. Red meats are high-in saturated fats and cholesterol. Instead, choose lean cuts of beef and pork, lamb, chicken or fish.
Statistics
- WHO recommends consuming less than 5% of total energy intake for additional health benefits. (who.int)
- Extra virgin olive oil may benefit heart health, as people who consume it have a lower risk for dying from heart attacks and strokes according to some evidence (57Trusted Source (healthline.com)
- This article received 11 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
- In both adults and children, the intake of free sugars should be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake. (who.int)
External Links
How To
27 Steps to a Healthy Lifestyle if Your Family Only Buys Junk Food
Cooking at your home is one of the easiest ways to eat healthier. But, it can be hard to make healthy meals because many people don't know how. This article will provide some helpful tips for making healthier dining out choices.
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Select restaurants that offer healthy dishes.
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Before you order meat dishes, make sure to order salads or vegetables.
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Ask for sauces made without sugar.
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Avoid fried food.
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Ask for grilled meats, not fried.
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Order dessert only if you absolutely need it.
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You must ensure that you have something more to eat after your dinner.
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You should eat slowly and chew well.
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Take plenty of water with your meals.
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Do not skip breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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Have fruit and veggies with every meal.
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Consume milk and not soda.
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Avoid sugary beverages
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Limit the amount of salt in your diet.
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Limit the amount of time you eat at fast food restaurants.
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If you can't resist temptation, ask someone to join you.
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Do not let your kids watch too much TV.
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During meals, turn off the TV.
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Avoid energy drinks
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Regular breaks from work are important.
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Get up earlier in the morning to exercise.
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Exercise everyday.
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Start small, and work your way up.
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Realistic goals are important.
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Be patient.
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Find time to exercise even if you don't feel like it.
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Use positive thinking.