How does constipation affect the elderly?

In the elderly, chronic constipation can lead to fecal impaction and fecal incontinence. Fecal impaction is the accumulation of hardened feces in the colon or rectum. Liquid stools from the proximal colon can bypass the impacted stool, causing overflow incontinence, often mistaken for diarrhea.

What are side effects of severe constipation?

Complications of chronic constipation include:

  • Swollen veins in your anus (hemorrhoids).
  • Torn skin in your anus (anal fissure).
  • Stool that can’t be expelled (fecal impaction).
  • Intestine that protrudes from the anus (rectal prolapse).

What helps elderly with constipation?

Most patients are initially treated with lifestyle modifications, such as scheduled toileting after meals, increased fluid intake, and increased dietary fiber intake. Additional fiber intake in the form of polycarbophil, methylcellulose, or psyllium may improve symptoms.

Can constipation cause mental confusion in elderly?

Constipation in people with dementia can lead to a worsening of their confusion, as well as symptoms of irritability or aggression. Constipation is very common and most of us will suffer from it at some point in our lives, usually treating it ourselves at home using an over-the-counter medicine.

What symptoms can constipation cause?

Symptoms of constipation include:

  • You have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
  • Your stools are dry, hard and/or lumpy.
  • Your stools are difficult or painful to pass.
  • You have a stomach ache or cramps.
  • You feel bloated and nauseous.
  • You feel that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels after a movement.

What body systems are affected by constipation?

If you have constipation, food may move too slowly through the digestive tract. This gives the colon more time – too much time – to absorb water from the waste. The stool becomes dry, hard, and difficult to push out. Pathway of food waste through colon, rectum and anus.

Can you get sick from being constipated?

Nausea and/or vomiting. While constipation affects the intestines and not the stomach, being constipated slows down the entire digestive system, which can delay or prevent food in the stomach from reaching the intestines. When this happens, constipated patients may feel nauseous or even vomit.

How do you stimulate a bowel movement in the elderly?

It’s a good idea to have a daily routine where your older adult at least “tries” to go at the same time every day….2. Regularly eat (and drink) foods like:

  1. Beans.
  2. Whole grains, especially bran.
  3. Vegetables.
  4. Fresh and dried fruit.
  5. Nuts.
  6. High-fiber foods.
  7. Water — softens stool and stimulates the bowel.

Can constipation cause cognitive problems?

The rate of cognitive impairment among the samples with constipation was 94.34%. A greater rate of cognitive impairment was found in females (79.01%) compared to males (75.96%). It was found that single subjects (81.52%) displayed a greater rate of cognitive impairment compared to married subjects (75.7%).

Can constipation make you feel unwell?

Constipation can cause nausea, as a buildup of stool in your intestines can allow food to linger in your stomach and lead to feelings of nausea or bloating. A buildup of stool can also result in an imbalance in your gut bacteria, which may cause nausea.