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Will exlax clean me out4/25/2023 Although it’s probably ideal to have a bowel movement every day, it’s generally considered acceptable to have them every 2-3 days, provided they aren’t hard, painful, or difficult to pass. People often want to know what is considered “normal” or “ideal,” when it comes to bowel movements. Common signs and symptomsĬonstipation can generally be diagnosed when people experience two or more of the following signs, related to at least 25% of their bowel movements: I’ll end with a summary of key take-home points, to summarize what you should know if you’re concerned about constipation for yourself or another older person. My approach to constipation in my older patients.3 types of over-the-counter laxative that work (and one type that doesn’t).The laxative myth you shouldn’t believe. How constipation should be evaluated, and treated.Medications that can cause or worsen constipation.Common causes of constipation in older adults.Common signs and symptoms of constipation.This way, you’ll be better equipped to get help from your health providers, and if it seems advisable, choose among OTC laxative options. In short, if you’re an older adult, or if you’re helping an older loved one with health issues, it’s worthwhile to learn the basics of how constipation should be evaluated and managed. Although several useful laxatives are indeed available over-the-counter (OTC), I’ve found that the average person doesn’t know enough to correctly choose among them.Īlso, although in geriatrics we often do end up recommending or prescribing laxatives, it’s vital to start by figuring out what is likely to be causing - or worsening - an older person’s constipation.įor instance, many medications can make constipation worse, so we usually make an attempt to identify and perhaps deprescribe those. Personally, I don’t like this hands-off approach to constipation. Also, since many laxatives are available over-the-counter, some providers may assume that people will treat themselves if necessary. They are often focused on more “serious” health issues. The trouble is that constipation is often either overlooked or sub-optimally managed by busy healthcare providers who aren’t trained in geriatrics. This helps maintain well-being and quality of life, and can also improve difficult behaviors related to dementia. Avoidance of needed pain medication, due to fear of constipationįortunately, it’s usually possible to help older adults effectively manage and prevent constipation.Fecal incontinence, which can be caused or worsened by having a hard lump of stool lodged in the lower bowel.
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