The key to improving quality of life for seniors is controlling chronic constipation. There are many ways that they can relieve constipation, without resorting to laxatives. They can also use medication to manage constipation.
The first step towards resolving constipation concerns is to increase the fiber in your diet. Fiber helps to move things through the colon and reduce the number of stools that are hard and dry. To soften stools, you should add water into their bowels. For older adults, suppositories can be used to soften the impacted stool. These suppositories will not cause harm to the colon.
Keep a record of your bowel movements. This will help your healthcare provider understand what is causing the constipation. This will help you to spot any new symptoms. If you are concerned about constipation in an older adult, talk to their health care provider. The doctor may be able give you a prescription for an enema or other laxative to ease your constipation.
Lifestyle choices can often be the reason for constipation in elderly adults. Constipation can result from lifestyle choices such as inactivity and sedentary living. Certain medical conditions, medications, and hormone imbalances are also possible causes of constipation. Because each person's health is different, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose constipation. There are several tests that you can take to help you determine the underlying cause.
American Society for Gastroenterology recommends that older people be examined for pelvic floor dysfunction. Biofeedback is an option for those with infrequent elimination. A rectal exam may be recommended. This will enable you to tell your health care provider if constipation is a serious condition.
Older adults with constipation should take steps to increase fluid intake. This is especially important if they are taking medications that interfere with bowel movement. This includes pain medication, iron supplements, calcium channels blockers, anti-depressants, and iron supplement. It is also a good idea to increase physical activity.
Keeping a daily diary of bowel movements can help to determine the root cause of constipation. Keep track of any medications you take and how many stool you pass each day. Note any changes to your diet. Some examples of foods that can trigger a bowel movement are prunes, applesauce, prune juice, prunes, and prune liqueur.
Constipation is a problem that can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage. It can impact your daily activities, like eating and walking. You may experience abdominal pain and bloating, and you may also have a difficult time passing stools. Some constipation symptoms may include nausea or bloody stool.
You should speak to your loved one if they are suffering from constipation. They can help you determine if your loved one is experiencing constipation as an emergency and will also be able to provide a plan to get them back on track.
FAQ
How can weight change with age?
How can you tell if your bodyweight has changed?
When there is more muscle mass than fat, weight loss can occur. This means that you must consume more calories than you use daily. The most common cause of weight loss is decreased activity levels. Others include pregnancy, hormonal imbalances or certain medications. When there is more fat than muscles, it's called weight gain. It occurs when people eat more calories each day than they use. There are many reasons for this, including overeating and increased physical activity.
The main reason why our bodies lose weight is because we consume fewer calories than we burn. The main reason we lose weight is because we exercise more often. This increases our metabolism rate and burns more calories each day. This doesn't necessarily mean we will lose weight. What matters is whether we are losing fat or building muscle. We will lose weight if we burn more calories than we consume. If we consume more calories that we burn, then we are actually storing them in fat.
As we grow older, we tend to become slower at moving around and therefore we don't move as much. We also tend have less food to eat than we did when younger. We tend to gain weight. On the flipside, we are more muscular than we really need and appear larger.
If you don't weigh yourself every week, there's no way of knowing how much weight have you lost. There are many different ways to measure your weight. There are several ways to check your waist size. Some people prefer to use the bathroom scales, while some prefer to use tape measurements.
To track your progress, weigh yourself once a week. Measure your waistline once per month. You can also take images of yourself every few weeks to see how far it has come.
Online data can be used to determine your weight. If you are 5'10' tall and weigh 180lbs, your weight would be 180.
How can my blood pressure be controlled?
You must first determine the cause of high blood pressure. Then, you can take steps to lower your blood pressure. This could include eating less salt, losing weight if necessary, taking medication, etc.
It is important to ensure that you get enough exercise. If you don’t have enough time to exercise regularly, consider walking more often.
Consider joining a gym if your current exercise regimen is not satisfying you. A gym that has other members who share your goals will be a good place to start. You will find it easier to keep to a workout schedule if you have someone to watch you at the gym.
How do you measure body fat?
A Body Fat Analyzer is the best way to measure body weight. These devices are used for measuring the percentage of body fat in people who want to lose weight.
Statistics
- The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend keeping added sugar intake below 10% of your daily calorie intake, while the World Health Organization recommends slashing added sugars to 5% or less of your daily calories for optimal health (59Trusted (healthline.com)
- WHO recommends reducing saturated fats to less than 10% of total energy intake; reducing trans-fats to less than 1% of total energy intake; and replacing both saturated fats and trans-fats to unsaturated fats. (who.int)
- According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, we should strive for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week (54Trusted Source Smoking, harmful use of drugs, and alcohol abuse can all seriously negatively affect your health. (healthline.com)
- nutrients.[17]X Research sourceWhole grains to try include: 100% whole wheat pasta and bread, brown rice, whole grain oats, farro, millet, quinoa, and barley. (wikihow.com)
External Links
How To
Here are 10 tips to help you live a healthy life
How to live a healthy life
We live in a fast world where we don't get enough sleep, eat too much, drink too much alcohol and smoke cigarettes. We don’t care enough about our health.
It can be very difficult to have a healthy diet, exercise routine, and work schedule when you do so many things simultaneously. Stress can make it more difficult if your mind is telling you that you cannot handle the situation anymore. This makes it all the more difficult.
It is possible that your body is experiencing problems. Ask your doctor for his/her opinion about your current situation. If you find nothing unusual, it could be stress from your job.
Some people believe that their job allows them to exercise regularly, or they have friends who support them in staying fit. They are fortunate. These people have no problems. They have everything under control. I wish everyone could be one of them. Many of us aren't able to find the right balance between our personal and professional lives. Many people end up with bad habits which eventually lead to diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and many others.
Here are some ways to improve your daily life.
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Sleeping 7 hours a night minimum, 8 hours maximum is the ideal amount. This means sleeping properly and not consuming caffeine in the hour before bed. Caffeine blocks melatonin hormones which makes it difficult to fall asleep. Make sure your bedroom's dark and clean. Blackout curtains are a must, especially if you work late at nights.
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Eat healthy. Have breakfast every morning. Avoid sugary products, fried foods, white breads, and processed food. Lunch should include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. For afternoon snacks, it is recommended to eat foods high in protein and fiber like nuts, seeds and beans, fish, dairy products, and fish. Avoid unhealthy snacks like chips, candies, cookies, cakes and sodas.
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Drink plenty of water - Most of us don' t drink enough water. Water helps us to burn more calories, keeps our skin looking young and supple, flushes toxins from our system and improves digestion. You can lose weight by drinking six glasses of water per day. The best way to measure your hydration level is by checking the color of your urine. A yellow urine color indicates that you are dehydrated. An orange urine color means that you are slightly dehydrated. Pink urine means that your hydration level is normal. Red urine means that you are overhydrated. Clear urine means that your urine is highly-hydrated.
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Exercise – Regular physical activity is proven to improve energy levels, reduce depression, and even help you feel happier. Walking is an easy workout that can also improve your mood. Walking is easy, but it takes effort and concentration. Walking requires your brain to be focused on the task at hand, and you need to breathe slowly and deeply. For between 100 and 150 calories, a 30 minute walk can be enough to burn about 100 to 150 calories. Start slow and work your way up. Stretching after exercise is important to avoid injury.
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Positive thinking is vital for mental health. When we think positively, we create a happy environment inside ourselves. Negative thoughts drain our energy and cause anxiety. Keep your motivation high by focusing on the things you want to do. You can break down all the tasks into smaller pieces if you feel overwhelmed. Do not be discouraged if you fail, just get up and try again.
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You must learn to say No - Too often we get so busy we forget how much time is wasted on things that are not important. It is important for you to know when to say no. Saying 'no' does not mean being rude. Saying No is simply saying that you cannot take care of something right now. There will always be another way to do the job. Be clear about your boundaries. Ask for help. Oder delegate this job to someone else.
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Take care to your body. Eat healthier foods to boost metabolism and shed extra weight. Avoid heavy and oily foods. They can raise cholesterol levels. Three meals and two snacks are a good rule of thumb. Your daily calories should range from 2000 to 2500.
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Meditation is a great stress relief and can help reduce anxiety. Sitting still with closed eyes allows your mind to relax. This exercise will allow you to have clarity of thought which can be very useful in making decisions. Meditation will help you feel calmer and happier.
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Do not skip breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of each day. Skipping breakfast can lead you to overeating at lunch. You don't have to wait until noon to enjoy a healthy breakfast. Eating breakfast boosts your energy and helps you manage your hunger better.
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Make sure you eat clean food. Food has a greater impact on your mood than you realize. Avoid junk food or any food items that contain preservatives or artificial ingredients. These products can make you feel hungry and acidic. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that improve overall health.
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