Generic Actos

CONSTIPATION IN ELDERLY PEOPLE: THE MYTHIC PROBLEM OF MODEST PROPORTIONS

Constipation, that so-called bane of older people, is highly overrated as a normal sign of aging. Still, the perception of a problem is strong. Older people complain to their doctors about constipation nearly five times as frequently as young adults. One reason is pure misinformation. Outdated medical thinking stressed the need for a daily bowel movement. Today’s laxative ads, aimed at older consumers, beat the same regularity" drum. Thus many older people are brainwashed to think "my Metamucil" if they do not have a bowel movement every day. But regularity just means following a regular pattern. Having a bowel movement as infrequently as twice a week can be absolutely normal if it is regular for you.
A more important sign is the quality, not the frequency, of bowel movements. Do you have difficulty passing stools? Is there pain? Are there problems such as bleeding? If these symptoms happen often, they suggest you do have a problem. Before rushing to gobble that laxative, read on.
The National Institute on Aging estimates that Americans spend 250 million dollars a year on over-the-counter laxatives. This does more than make inroads in our pocketbooks. Heavy use of laxatives produces more constipation than it cures. Taken habitually, laxatives (and enemas) impair the body's natural emptying mechanism. We come to physically need the drug to have any bowel movement. And overuse of mineral oil, a popular laxative, may reduce the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Laxatives can also have unpleasant side effects.
If you are constipated for more than a few days, see your doctor to rule out any intestinal abnormality. Digestive-system blockages or diseases can cause constipation. Some medications are constipating, too. Then, with your physician's approval, try these remedies.
Eat high-fiber foods - fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain cereals and breads, and dried fruits such as prunes. Adding unprocessed bran to foods is fine but is not necessary if your diet is already high in fiber.
Drink plenty of liquids (one to two quarts a day) unless you have heart, circulatory, or kidney problems. Avoid milk. In large quantities it is constipating.
Become more physically active. Lack of physical activity is a surprisingly important cause of constipation. Begin to exercise.
Develop regular bowel habits. Regularly go to the bathroom at a certain time - for instance, after breakfast or dinner.
Never ignore the urge to defecate. Inhibiting the urge to defecate produces constipation. Although (like many people) you may feel uncomfortable having a bowel movement outside the privacy of your home, if you have a tendency to be constipated, sacrifice your delicacy for the sake of your well-being.

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GENERAL HEALTH

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