Nearly everyone becomes constipated at one time or another. Constipation in older adults happens for many reasons, including lack of exercise, eating diets low in fiber, not drinking enough liquids, and taking many prescription medications. While older adults may be more likely than younger people to become constipated, most of the time it is not serious.
You may be constipated if you are having fewer bowel movements than usual, it takes a long time to pass stools, and/or they are hard. People often worry too much about having a bowel movement every day. There is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements – being regular is different for each person. For some people, it can mean bowel movements twice a day; for others, movements just three times a week are normal.
If you answer yes to more than one of these questions, you may be constipated:
- Do you often have fewer than three bowel movements a week?
- Do you often have a hard time passing stools?
- Are stools often lumpy or hard?
- Do you have a feeling of being blocked or of not having fully emptied your bowel?
Normally, waste products are moved through your intestines by muscle contractions. In the large intestine, most of the water and salt in this mixture is reabsorbed. If too much water is absorbed or if the waste moves too slowly, you may become constipated. You may also experience constipation if the muscles you use to move your bowels are not coordinated.
Heathcare providers are not always sure what causes constipation. It may be a poor diet, not getting enough exercise, or using laxatives too often.
Diet. People may become constipated if they do not eat enough high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Some research shows that high-fiber diets may help prevent constipation. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products, eggs, rich desserts, and sugary sweets also may cause constipation. People sometimes do not drink enough water and other fluids. This often is true when they are not eating regular meals. Water and other liquids may help some people stay regular.
Using too many laxatives and enemas. Many people think of laxatives as a cure for constipation. But if you use laxatives too often, your body may forget how to work on its own. For the same reason, if you use enemas too often, your body may begin to depend on them.
Lack of physical activity. Inactivity or long periods in bed, such as after an accident or illness, may cause constipation. Health providers sometimes suggest medicine for people who stay in bed and suffer from chronic constipation. But, it is better to be more active, when possible.
Holding back bowel movements. People also can become constipated if they ignore their urge to have a bowel movement. Some people prefer to have bowel movements only at home; but, holding in a bowel movement can cause constipation if the delay is too long.
Medical conditions. Some problems, like stroke, diabetes, or a blockage in the intestines, may cause constipation. A condition called irritable bowel syndrome may also cause constipation. These disorders may affect the muscles or nerves used for normal bowel movements. Your health provider may do tests to see if a medical problem is the cause. If so, the problem may be treated.
Medications. Some medicines may lead to constipation. These include some drugs used to treat depression, antacids containing aluminum or calcium, some allergy medicines, some high blood pressure drugs, and some drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
If you think you may be constipated, talk to your health provider to rule out a more serious problem. If tests show no disease or blockage, and if your health provider approves, try these changes:
- Add fiber to your diet by eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals and breads. Dried fruit such as apricots, prunes, and figs are high in fiber.
- Add small amounts of unprocessed bran to baked goods, cereals, and fruit. This may cause bloating and gas for a few weeks after you start. Make diet changes slowly to allow your system to adapt. If your diet is healthy and high in natural fiber, you may not need to add bran.
- Be sure to get enough liquids. If you do not get enough, constipation can get worse. Drinking lots of water and other liquids helps some people get back to regular bowel movements.
- Stay active. This is important for overall health, too. Do activities that keep you moving and active: go for walks, take care of your yard, make things you enjoy a part of your everyday life.
For more information, visit the National Institutes of Health – National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov.
