Some elderly people with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction may experience accidents while defecating.
Why does sudden death occur during defecation? It turns out that when exerting force to expel stool, the abdominal and diaphragm muscles contract strongly, increasing abdominal pressure. The increased abdominal pressure leads to increased resistance to blood flow from the heart, resulting in increased arterial blood pressure and myocardial oxygen consumption. According to research, defecation can increase cerebral artery pressure by 20 millimeters of mercury. A sudden increase in blood pressure can cause cerebral hemorrhage, while the increased myocardial oxygen consumption can trigger angina, myocardial infarction, and severe arrhythmia, both of which can lead to sudden death. Additionally, elderly individuals have poor vascular regulation, and they are more prone to cerebral ischemia, dizziness, and even cerebrovascular accidents after prolonged squatting and standing up.
To avoid these unfortunate events, it is important to develop a regular bowel movement habit. Consume a certain amount of food containing dietary fiber every day and eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Maintain an adequate water intake daily. Engage in physical exercises within the limits of your physical condition to promote bowel movement and facilitate timely defecation. For constipation, you can take a moderate amount of honey or honey mixed with sesame oil before bedtime. You can also use a rectal enema to help with bowel movement. When defecating, it is advisable to sit rather than squat, and when standing up, do so slowly. For those with more severe conditions, it is recommended to defecate while lying flat in bed to prevent accidents.
