Effective laxatives with constipation for the elderly

Constipation - one of the most pressing problems of the elderly population due to the characteristics of age - is a violation of bowel movement in the form of a lack of stools daily, its frequency is less than three times a week. It is accompanied by:

• A feeling of incomplete purification;
• The stress occupying not less than a quarter of the time of the act of clearing the rectum (defecation);
• Dense consistency of feces and its small amount.

Causes of constipation in the elderly

In old age, the occurrence and aggravation of constipation may be due to:

• Natural age-related changes: progressive depletion of the pelvic floor muscles, a decrease in the sensitivity of the anal sphincter and the speed of tissue repair (healing), hypoxia (a deficiency in the body of oxygen);

• Typical diseases of the elderly: Parkinsonism, atherosclerosis, depression, hypercalcemia (increased concentration in the blood of calcium);
• Insufficient intake of useful food and liquid in a volume less than the daily rate;
• Abuse of laxatives;
• A sharp muscle weakness (adynamia);
• Decreased thyroid activity (hypothyroidism);
• Progression of existing diseases (multiple sclerosis, diabetes, spinal disorders);
• Use of medicines to treat existing diseases;
• A sedentary way of life, weak physical activity, which contributes to the inhibition of motor function of the intestine;
• Psychological reasons.

Treatment of constipation: where to start?

Treatment of constipation in elderly people is aimed at normalizing the consistency of the stool and achieving systematicity in the emptying of the intestine, so it should start with the use of a set of non-drug methods.

First of all, this is the normalization of the nutritional diet and water balance. Elderly people often do not indulge in tasty and healthy food and eat mainly porridges, potato dishes and pasta, which is insufficient for the body to fully exercise its functions, because such food does not contain in the proper amount of vitamins and dietary fiber (natural Ballast substances). They are, while in a liquid environment, stimulate peristalsis and increase the volume of intestinal contents. Therefore, in food must necessarily be present dietary fiber, if the condition of fluid intake is not less than one and a half liters per day. Otherwise they will perform the role of sorbents, that is, absorb liquid from the intestine, leading to increased constipation.

A good laxative, to which an elderly person should accustom oneself, is a morning glass of water drunk on an empty stomach (a kind of "inner" shower, which starts the work of the intestine).

Vegetable oils - effective laxatives

To call a normal defecation, you can use oils (olive, vaseline, almond, fennel, paraffin); The action of laxatives is aimed at mitigating and promoting feces. Reception is required to be performed on an empty stomach (you can minutes after 5-10 after drinking water) for an incomplete table spoon. Desires for emptying come in a few hours. As an adverse event, irritation can occur in the perianal region. The use of oils should be short-lived; Abuse can lead to damage to the intestinal mucosa, liver, digestive organs.

A passing step to getting rid of problems with defecation is an increase in motor activity: dosed gymnastics, physical exercises insofar as a person by virtue of his age is able to perform them, walking in the fresh air. In combination with the observance of the day regimen, physiotherapy procedures stimulating peristalsis, and superficial abdominal massage, this complex can save an elderly person from problems with bowel movement.

Laxatives for constipation for the elderly

Constipation may be a side effect of the underlying disease (eg, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus) and be caused by medications taken. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the negative impact of drugs on the underlying disease, although this does not guarantee to fully eliminate the problems associated with defecation.

Most retirees believe that laxatives for constipation for the elderly are widely advertised and available drugs available in every pharmacy. Of course, this is the easiest way to solve the problem, only this decision has a one-time nature, and the relief will only be temporary. The constant intake of laxatives, to which the majority of the elderly population is inclined, considering this to be the most effective measure to eliminate constipation, causes the habituation and development of an "inert" (otherwise "lazy") gut. That is, getting medicinal laxatives of rapid action, the intestines refuses to work independently, which as a result leads to the absence of urges and the need to cope in a natural way. A person becomes dependent on laxatives, since without their intake, defecation does not occur.

Who is recommended for laxative medications?

Laxatives for the elderly (drugs) are prescribed by the doctor in case of ineffectiveness of other methods. Such drugs are the best option for people who are contraindicated in the growth of intra-abdominal pressure when straining due to existing aneurysms, venous thrombosis, hernias, rectal cracks, myocardial infarction, hemorrhoids, severe arterial hypertension, rectal prolapse.

Also, strong laxatives are prescribed if it is impossible to cancel prescribed medications that cause constipation (antidepressants, antiparkinsonics, opiates in chronic pain). Short courses of laxatives can also be recommended when preparing the intestine for examination, as well as in the pre- and postoperative period. For the remaining categories of elderly people, laxatives are prescribed if the non-pharmacological methods are ineffective; While the choice of medicine should be carefully justified.

Types of medical laxatives

By the mechanism of functioning laxatives of rapid action can be divided as follows:

• Fillers that increase the volume and pressure of feces on the intestinal walls by drawing water from the intestinal lumen, resulting in emptying. The basis of such preparations are indigestible components: bran, methylcellulose, flax seeds, sea kale and other ingredients.

• Osmolithics , which contain substances that retain fluid in the intestine due to the formation of osmotic pressure. By delaying the water supplied with food and not allowing it to be absorbed into the intestinal walls, such preparations contribute to dilution of fecal masses and an increase in their volume, which facilitates emptying. Such laxatives are not addictive, but they can not be used for longer than 3 months, because it is fraught with electrolyte exchange disorders in the body and cardiovascular problems. To osmoliths include Carlsbad salt, polyethylene glycol, fortrans, magnesia.

• Irritants , the principle of action of which is based on chemical stimulation of the intestine in order to enhance its peristalsis (shrinkage of the intestinal wall, facilitating the movement of its contents downwards, to the anal passage). The main component of the stimuli are the components of plant origin, which have laxative properties: the fruits of the hopper, the root of the rhubarb, the bark of the buckthorn, the leaves of Senna. On the basis of these plants, such drugs as "Dulcolax", "Guttalax", "Regulax", "Elimin" are produced.

• Prebiotics are the most suitable laxatives for constipation for elderly people listed. These are oligosaccharides, lactulose, inulin containing the necessary bifido- and lactobacilli and replenishing their lack in the intestine. They help restore the bacterial balance of the intestinal flora and improve digestion.

Unfortunately, these laxatives, reviews of which are intrusively positive and sound in all the media, do not eliminate the problem at the root, but are part of an integrated treatment in combination with other drugs whose action is directed to irritation of the intestinal wall or increase the volume of its contents by Retracting water. Defecation occurs after about 2 hours after taking the drug. The most common means:

• "Dufalac";
• Lactusan;
• "Prelax".

Use prebiotics, the most harmless laxatives with constipation for the elderly, you can for a long period, so they are prescribed for chronic and acute constipation. At first, flatulence is possible, which eventually passes. The advantage of prebiotics is the absence of side effects, stimulation of the activity of useful flora and peristalsis, and also a long positive effect. Deficiencies include incomplete elimination of problems with defecation.

In any case, before using a rapid laxative, you must necessarily read the annotation for dosing and limitations.

Products that accelerate bowel cleansing

The desire to get rid of constipation in a fast way is normal, but do not cling to potent laxatives, reviews about which are exceptionally positive at the expense of promoted advertising. So you can only harm the body. It is better to have a soft and gradual approach, a preference in which to give proper nutrition. Elderly people who tend to delay the stool should develop a habit of eating foods - laxatives for cleansing the intestines, which contain a large number of pectins, coarse fibers and vegetable fiber. It:

• Prunes, grapes, plums;
• Fresh apples, kiwi (preferably on an empty stomach, 2-3 pieces);
• A drink from a tea mushroom;
• Fresh vegetables: cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, salad;
• Apple, carrot and plum juice;
• Sea kale;
• Bran, mixed with any food in the amount of 30 grams.

Kefir is the most accessible and useful medicine

Kefir is an affordable remedy, the use of which is also recommended to become a habit. A glass of kefir in combination with a spoon of vegetable oil, drunk before going to bed, will correct the work of the intestines in the right direction. Important: the product must be fresh (ideally, if it is home-made). Three-four-day kefir can cause a reverse, adherence reaction.

If violations of defecation before the use of advertised drugs should try folk laxatives for constipation, recommended even by medical experts, because the basis of most drugs are old, time-tested recipes. The doctor's advice in this case will be desirable, since the effectiveness of the medication depends on the type of constipation.

Healing decoctions of a relaxing effect

To get rid of problems with defecation it is possible with the help of decoctions and infusions, which have a soothing and stimulating effect.

• Available and easy to prepare a decoction of raisins - a good laxative, pleasant to the taste. A spoonful of raisins should be poured in 300 ml of boiling water, insist in a thermos and drink 100 ml each day. The preparation and use of decoction from gooseberry will be similar.
• Infusion of cowberry - no less effective laxative. Berries need to fall asleep with sugar, leave for 3-4 weeks. In the syrup formed during this time it is required to add alcohol (in the ratio of 500: 25 ml). Before use, the infusion should be diluted with water and drunk on an empty stomach every morning. This is an excellent tool for restoring the independent work of the digestive tract.
• Drink from prunes - a vegetable laxative, which has a pleasant taste and a high percentage of effectiveness in the fight against constipation in the elderly. To prepare it requires a half kilogram of this product, pour 3.5 liters of water and boil for half an hour on low heat, then cool, pour 50 grams of buckthorn bark and boil again for 25 minutes. Cool, strain and add to the resulting composition 200 grams of syrup from the hips - Holosas. Take the composition is recommended before going to bed half the glass.

• Laxatives for cleansing the intestines are also various broths. For example, leaves of senna (30 g), licorice root (10 g), anise fruit (10 g), buckthorn bark (25 g), berries jostera (25 g). All components must be crushed, mixed, pour a glass of boiled water, leave for 20 minutes, then strain. Take before going to bed for 100 ml.
• As a delicious cure for constipation, you can try the next dessert. Raisins, dried apricots, prunes, dates, figs, taken for 0.5 kg, must be soaked in water, dried, grinded through a meat grinder to form a homogeneous mass, in which to add honey in an amount of 5 tbsp. Spoons. Ready mix should be stored in the refrigerator and eat in the morning and evening for half a tablespoon.
• The seed of flax, which contains soluble and insoluble fiber, fatty acids and mucus, helps to remove inflammation of the digestive tract - an excellent tool in the fight against constipation. You need to brew a teaspoon of boiled water a teaspoon of seed, insist for 4-5 hours. Before going to sleep, the composition along with the seeds is required to drink. Also, 2-3 times a day, take a tablespoon of seeds, washing them with water, diluted with a spoonful of honey. This is required to prevent the formation of heavy lumps.

Almighty aloe - an excellent assistant in the treatment of constipation

An excellent result shows folk laxatives with constipation from aloe juice, especially if the violation of defecation has a chronic character. It is required to drink aloe juice for 1-2 tsp. Half an hour before meals until 3 times a day. The course of treatment is from 1 to 2 months.

In combination with honey, this medicine will not only be useful, but also delicious. For its preparation, it is required to squeeze out the juice from the leaves of the century that did not water for 2 weeks, and mix it with honey. The received structure to accept on an empty stomach 2 times a day (in the morning and evening time), washing down with water.

Consequences of ignoring and not treating constipation can become chronic intoxication of the whole organism due to poisoning of toxic substances contained in stool. Parallel to the intestine is the multiplication of putrefactive bacteria, which causes the formation of gases and, as a result, bloating, shortness of breath, circulatory disturbance and the occurrence of cardiac pain.

Prevention of constipation in the elderly

For the prevention of constipation in the elderly, it is recommended to keep a balanced diet, a mode of eating (at the same time), drink at least a daily rate of water (from 1.5 liters) and more to move: shows outdoor exercise and exercise in the As far as it turns out.