What to Do About Constipation in the Elderly
As we enter the winter season, the air becomes dry and our metabolism slows down. Coupled with reduced outdoor activities, constipation becomes more common in the elderly. Severe constipation can significantly affect the quality of life in the elderly. Excessive straining during bowel movements can lead to changes in coronary artery and cerebral blood flow. Due to decreased cerebral blood flow, fainting may occur during bowel movements. Insufficient coronary blood supply can lead to angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, while hypertensive individuals may experience cerebrovascular accidents. Constipation can also cause the rupture of an aneurysm or ventricular wall, detachment of cardiac mural thrombus, arrhythmias, and even sudden death. Below are a few effective methods to alleviate constipation in the elderly.
Massage the abdomen to promote bowel movement. Massaging the abdomen in the morning, afternoon, and evening for a week can yield positive results. The abdominal massage mainly focuses on five acupoints around the navel and the abdomen, promoting the contraction of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and enhancing peristalsis. During the massage, place your left hand on your abdomen with the palm facing the navel, and stack your right hand on top of your left hand. Rub your abdomen in a clockwise direction first, and then counterclockwise.
Add some olive oil to your cooking. Many elderly individuals have conditions such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, so their diets tend to be light. However, the lack of lubrication in the body can contribute to constipation. It is recommended for the elderly to add olive oil to their meals. Olive oil can both directly lubricate the intestines and stimulate peristalsis through its breakdown products, effectively alleviating constipation symptoms. You can also add a few drops of sesame oil to cold dishes or noodles for the same effect.
Consume seaweed soup twice a week. For constipation in the elderly, it is better to moisturize rather than purge, and seaweed is the best food for intestinal hydration during the winter. Compared to other ingredients, seaweed is rich in exceptionally soft dietary fiber, with 4.8 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams of dry seaweed. It acts as a diligent "cleaner" in the intestines, effectively removing mucus, gas, and decayed matter, which is beneficial for relieving constipation. Making seaweed soup is simple. Take 15 grams each time, soak in water before consumption, and boil with water, adding soy sauce and sesame oil.
In addition, the elderly should avoid relying on laxatives. Laxatives cause food to pass through the intestines too quickly, reducing the digestion and absorption of nutrients and causing a loss of various nutrients. Long-term use of laxatives can also cause relaxation and deformation of the intestinal muscles, imbalance of intestinal flora, and worsen constipation. The elderly should develop a habit of regular bowel movements. Even without the urge to defecate, they should go to the bathroom at regular times. Over time, the urge to defecate will develop reflexively, allowing for effective regular bowel movements. Additionally, it is important to concentrate during bowel movements and avoid reading newspapers or listening to music.
