Concerned About Constipation in Elderly People? Guide to Healthy Poop!

One of the most common problem with respect to poop habit among elderly in their 60s and 70s is constipation. Constipation is characterized by less frequent poop movement. Symptoms of constipation include difficult or painful stools, infrequent stools and hard and dry stools. There are a number of age-related factors that may cause constipation in older adults.

There are many reasons that may affect poop habit in old age patients, and disorders of the digestive system is just one of them. Other chronic disorders that are not related to the digestive system, use of certain medications, low fiber intake, dehydration and sedentary lifestyle are some of the major factors that can affect poop habit in the elderly.

Making certain healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle is highly recommended, especially if you are above 60 and suffer from constipation. For example, eating high fiber foods such as whole wheat, bran and crunchy vegetables, avoiding processed foods and refined wheat products, drinking at least 2 litres of water daily, staying physically active as much as possible and maintaining a healthy body weight help maintain a healthy bowel movement.

If a person stays hydrated and takes enough of fiber foods, then constipation may occur because of an underlying disease. The underlying condition, thus, should properly manager and treated to maintain healthy poop habit. Any kind of medication which you are already prescribed should never be stopped without consulting your doctor, even if any drug appears to be the cause of irregular poop movement. Taking laxatives for constipation is also not suggested because it is not a long-term solution.