Here are some home tips that can help you avoid aggressive laxatives.
We often laugh at constipation, even though it’s nothing to laugh about.
When you can’t go to the bathroom for several days in a row, you feel bloated and unhappy. Trying to have a bowel movement day after day can also lead to more serious issues, such as hemorrhoids or even rectal prolapse.
It is estimated that between 40% and 60% of older adults frequently experience constipation, although the aging process should not be blamed entirely. It is something related to aging. Reduced physical activity affects bowel regularity. Additionally, it can be a side effect of some medications that many older adults take, explains Dr. Stanley Rosenberg, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Causes of Constipation
One of the most important factors contributing to constipation is diet. A fiber-rich diet, such as raw fruits and vegetables and whole grains, will help you have regular bowel movements.
It is also essential to drink enough fluids.
Fiber retains water in the intestines by mixing it with stool, making it softer, says Dr. Rosenberg.
If your diet contains plenty of fiber and fluids and you still don’t have regular bowel movements, then constipation may be caused by:
- Medications, such as narcotic pain relievers, antidepressants, antacids containing aluminum, blood pressure medications, Parkinson’s disease medications, and iron supplements
- Lack of physical exercise
- Constantly ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
- Conditions such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
How to Have a Bowel Movement
Laxatives may seem like the quickest and easiest solution, but they are not a good idea, says Dr. Rosenberg. If you go straight to stimulant laxatives, there is a risk of becoming physically dependent on them, the doctor warns.
Before taking any laxative, try one of these dietary and lifestyle tips to treat constipation:
Drink at least four to six glasses of fluids a day. Water and fruit juices are the best ways to prevent constipation. Limit caffeinated beverages, such as sodas and coffee, which can dehydrate your body.
The best sources of fiber
Food | Grams of fiber per serving
Peas (cooked) | 16.3
Black beans | 15.0
Artichokes (cooked) | 10.3
Raspberries | 8.0
Whole grains | 5.3
Instant oatmeal | 4.0
Apples (with skin) | 4.4
Brussels sprouts | 4.1
Figs (dried) | 1.6
The longer stool remains in the intestines, the harder and more difficult it becomes to pass. That’s why it’s important to empty the intestines regularly, says Dr. Rosenberg. Since the urge to go works better after a meal, I tell my patients to have breakfast and then go to the bathroom and sit there for 10 minutes. See if you can do it.
If you simply can’t have a bowel movement and want to try a laxative, start with osmotic laxatives (talk to your doctor for a recommendation). Osmotic laxatives are not as harmful and have good results, says Dr. Rosenberg. They work gently by bringing water into the intestines and making the stool softer and easier to pass. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that osmotic laxatives are the most effective type of laxative for older adults.
If you have tried everything and still don’t have regular bowel movements, see a doctor who will evaluate the problem. Make an appointment immediately or go to the emergency room if you have any symptoms of an intestinal obstruction, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, a swollen abdomen, or a complete absence of stool and gas elimination.
