Constipation is a symptom of many diseases, not one disease. Constipation has different meanings for different patients. Since normal bowel habits vary greatly, the type and habit of food intake, lifestyle habits, environmental factors, and mental status may affect bowel habits. Therefore, it is very difficult to define constipation so far: 1. Decreased frequency of bowel movements, less than 2-3 times per week; 2. Difficult bowel movements (straining to defecate, which can take more than 30 minutes each time); 3. Dry stools with low volume. If you have any of the three types of bowel disorders, you have constipation symptoms. However, what are the causes of constipation? 1, organic lesions: such as intestinal tumors and inflammation, neuromuscular lesions of the colon and rectum; 2, endocrine disorders: such as hypothyroidism, hypocalcemia, diabetes, etc.; 3, poor diet and defecation habits: such as low fiber content in food, low exercise, artificial suppression of defecation, laxative abuse, etc.; 4, mental factors: such as psychosis, anorexia nervosa, depression. Why do elderly people become the main group of constipation patients? Common diseases in the elderly such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary heart disease, chronic heart failure, colorectal tumors, etc. can themselves cause age-related constipation. In addition, prolonged bed rest, reduced activity, as well as the treatment of these diseases in the process of taking certain drugs, such as calcium antagonists, converting enzyme inhibitors, etc. can trigger or aggravate constipation. In particular, the elderly have a weakened liver enzyme system and a reduced ability to interpret drugs, as well as a significantly reduced ability to excrete drugs due to arteriosclerosis, reduced renal vascular flow, and reduced renal function, as well as various systems and organs with reduced function and poor tolerance to drugs, which makes it very easy for drug constipation to occur. In addition, the elderly mostly have prostate enlargement, prostate enlargement can cause urinary retention, bladder expansion can compress the rectum may also cause defecation difficulties or constipation. Although the elderly are prone to constipation, a significant portion of it can be prevented if the causes of constipation are understood in daily life. So how can elderly people prevent it in daily life? 1, balanced diet structure Irrational or irregular diet is more common among the elderly. If the food is too fine, refuse to eat fiber food or insufficient intake, are the risk factors to induce constipation in the elderly, we must try to change the habit of not eating or eating less fiber food, that is, increase the proportion of vegetables, fruits, grains, bean products intake; food can put more vegetable oil to increase intestinal lubrication; drink more water, at least 6-8 glasses of water a day, or fresh juice can also be. In addition, vegetable porridge or medicine is a good choice to prevent constipation in the elderly, such as walnut porridge, black sesame porridge, pine nut porridge, etc.; avoid eating too spicy and hot food such as chili, pepper, etc. 2, to develop the habit of regular defecation Elderly people had better develop the habit of daily defecation, you can wake up every morning after appropriate exercise, drink a glass of cold water or warm water on an empty stomach, and then go to the toilet to defecate; should not deliberately inhibit defecation. 3, actively participate in social and physical exercise such as jogging, walking, playing tai chi, etc. 4.Keep a happy spirit and relaxed mood 5.Do not abuse laxatives to prevent the formation of drug dependence; or use medication under the guidance of a doctor.