Constipation on the elderly - any suggestion on how to deal with it besides laxative?
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Anonymous
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My mil has constipation issues even though we offer her (and she eats) lots of fiber rich food - oatmeal in the morning and always a veggie side with her meals. She doesn't eat fruits though.
Anyway after 4 days without any bm, we gave her a laxative that was prescribed to be used "as needed." Honestly, I want to avoid this experience again because it turned into a huge mess (multiple times yesterday night). We currently buy her orange juice but I am not sure if that is good enough to help keep her regular…maybe some other type of juice? Any ideas to keep her regular but without major blow outs? Help! |
Anonymous
| My FIL's caregiver heated a little prune juice and added a pat of butter. Worked like a charm. |
Anonymous
Everyday? Did it just "moved things along" or resulted in messy diapers/clothes, etc? |
Anonymous
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Would she eat oatmeal with raisins, dried cranberries, or other dried fruit mixed in? Dried fruit as a snack? Carrot sticks? Does she like coffee (decaf would also move things along)? You might want to check with her doctor if ducolax would be ok to use if it gets really bad again--it's an over the counter laxative that is supposedly gentler.
Fried foods, really fatty meats (regular sausage and hamburgers), and bananas are things to avoid. Hope she feels better soon. |
Anonymous
yes, she likes coffee. I will add the dried fruit in her morning oatmeal. I don't think she can eat carrots, maybe if I cook them… I will try. Thanks! |
Anonymous
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Oatmeal isn't really all that high in fibre. The kind that is there is more the soluble kind that helps your heart, not the roughage kind that makes you go. As PP Suggested, add some dried fruits (apricots, prunes, raisins)sprinkle some bran buds or even chop up some apples, pears, and other fresh fruit on top.
Drugs, plus lack of Hydration and exercise are the two worst culprits for creating constipatation in the elderly. You can encourage the ingestion of more fluids, get her up walking more, and see if her doc can prescribe meds that constipate less (opiates and pain control are the usual culprits). Constipation is also not that unusual in the elderly. You need to develop a plan with her physician to help recognize it before it hits 4 days and then can become a messy problem. A milder laxative or something at half dose would be something to get advise on and keep in the house, just in case. |
Anonymous
| Miralax is about the most gentle option that you can take regularly. |
Anonymous
| make sure she is getting enough fluids throughout the day. Did you try Miralax? |
Anonymous
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Here are a few suggestions:
Beets Green beans Prunes Lentil soup |
Anonymous
| Is she eating enough fats? Fish oil can help. Also black strap molasses mixed in some water. |
Anonymous
It moved things along rather quickly. Fortunately, he was still mobile and let us know he needed the bathroom. |
Anonymous
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Pears and pear juice are supposed to be helpful. My dad used to drink a glass of prune juice every day and that helped him.
Is she drinking enough fluids during the day? It's easy to get a bit dehydrated without realizing it. I'd keep a glass of water near her all day. |
Anonymous
| prune juice |
Anonymous
| Metamucil makes cookies you can eat every day, with coffee. |
Anonymous
| Does she have limited mobility? If not, daily walks would help. |