An Overview of Constipation in the Elderly
Nearly everyone becomes constipated at one time or another. Usually,
constipation is not serious. To avoid most of the problems related to constipation, it helps to know what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to treat it.
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. You may be constipated if you are having fewer bowel movements than usual, with a long or difficult passing of stools. Older people are more likely than younger people to become constipated.
Experts agree that older 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 having bowel movements twice a day. For others, bowel movements just three times a week are normal.
Some doctors suggest asking these questions to decide if you are constipated:
- Do you often have fewer than three bowel movements each week?
- Do you often have a hard time passing stools?
- Is there pain when you have a bowel movement?
- Are there other problems, such as bleeding?
If you answer yes to more than one of these questions, you may be constipated. Otherwise, you probably are not.
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