I. Causes of constipation in the elderly.
Many people know that eating more vegetables and fruits can prevent and treat constipation. However, many elderly people with constipation symptoms, usually pay attention to eat more vegetables and fruits, but the constipation symptoms have not improved significantly, which is why? Geriatricians have conducted more in-depth research on the problem of constipation in the elderly, and found that the causes of constipation in the elderly are complex and diverse, constipation caused by eating less vegetables and fruits account for only a minority, most of the elderly constipation is the result of a variety of factors acting together.
1. Slow intestinal motility. With age, the frequency of intestinal peristalsis in the elderly decreases, and the water in the intestine is relatively reduced, resulting in dry stools and constipation.
2. Excessive contraction of anal muscles. Some elderly people around the anus muscle tension contraction, it is difficult to produce stool, so that the stool stays in the intestine for a long time caused by constipation.
3. Poor mental health. Mental tension, depression, most of the elderly have constipation symptoms, which is due to neurological disorders. Some chronic diseases, such as hypothyroidism, neurasthenia, etc. can appear constipation symptoms.
4. Drug factors. Many elderly people suffering from cardiovascular disease, the need for long-term drug treatment, and some anti-hypertensive drugs can cause constipation.
5. Lack of water in the body. Older people have reduced thirst sensory function, and do not feel thirsty when there is a lack of water in the body, which reduces water in the intestines of the elderly, resulting in dry stools.
Second, the treatment method.
The causes of constipation in the elderly are complex, so the following treatments should be combined to achieve the best results.
(A) consumption of bifidus factor
The elderly intestinal peristalsis is slow, the frequency is very low, the water in the intestine decreases quickly, and the stool is dry leading to constipation. The consumption of bifidus factor is good for promoting intestinal peristalsis, and at the same time, bifidus factor can keep water from being absorbed by the large intestine, so as to achieve the effect of laxity. A large number of tests have proved that: the improvement of human intestinal function will enhance human immunity. The consumption of bifidum induced can promote human circulation and enhance the immunity of the elderly.
(B) to develop good dietary habits and lifestyle habits
1.Rational and balanced diet.
Irrational diet structure or irregular diet is more common among the elderly, such as food is too fine and lack of food fiber food, too little diet are risk factors that induce constipation in the elderly, must try to change, that is, increase the proportion of vegetables, fruits, grains and cereals, bean products intake, in order to increase the amount of food digestion and absorption after the residual, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, but also to retain some water, promote defecation. The elderly should put more vegetable oil in their food to increase the lubrication of the intestines and facilitate defecation; in terms of drinking water, the elderly should develop the good habit of drinking more water, preferably 6-8 glasses of water a day to ensure that the body has enough water to moisten the intestines and soften the stool, the elderly should drink more fresh fruit juice and honey water if available. In addition, advocate the elderly to eat vegetable porridge or medicinal porridge, both water, but also food juice, both with tonic effect, but also smooth laxative effect, such as He Shou Wu porridge, walnut porridge, black sesame porridge, cypress nut porridge, pine nut porridge, etc.. The elderly should especially avoid eating spicy and hot diet, such as chili, pepper, etc., because these dietary components are prone to depletion of yin and water, inducing constipation.
2, to develop a good habit of regular bowel movements.
The elderly had better develop a daily defecation habits, should be with the daily morning after waking up, a little exercise in the room, a glass of cold water or warm water on an empty stomach, and then go to the toilet to defecate (regardless of whether there is no bowel movement), in order to cultivate and maintain the conditioned reflex of defecation. Older people should not suppress the urge to defecate, and should go to defecate as soon as they have the urge to defecate.
3, the elderly should actively participate in a variety of social activities, and moderate physical exercise.
Sitting and moving less, preferring to lie still, is a bad habit of the elderly, but also the elderly gradually decline in physical strength, causing defecation difficulties is one of the important factors. Adhere to a certain amount of outdoor activities and physical exercise, such as jogging, walking, tai chi, etc., not only can enhance physical fitness, maintain physical strength and energy, and can increase appetite, so that intestinal peristalsis function, so that the abdominal wall muscles, diaphragm, pelvic muscles, anal muscles and other defecation muscle group muscle strength increased, can effectively prevent constipation.
4, keep a happy spirit, relaxed mood.
The elderly neurological decline, coupled with reduced social activities, most of the psychosocial disorders, depression and anxiety are more common. The elderly should learn to overcome anxiety and depression and other adverse emotions, to maintain a happy, accessible mental state, is also very important to prevent constipation in the elderly.
5, do not abuse laxatives.
Due to incorrect understanding of constipation, some elderly people often rely on laxatives to help stool, resulting in dependence and aggravation of the disease, the correct and reasonable use of laxatives must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.
(C) physical therapy – defecation exercises
Defecation exercises can effectively relieve constipation. When squatting for defecation, first exclude distractions.
The first section: ① two arms extended forward, palms down. ②The two arms are stretched out sideways and separated from each other, palms up. ③ thumb and forefinger try to separate, repeatedly do 20 times.
The second section: ① two arms side up, palms up. ② palms to the top of the head when the reverse palm down. ③ two arms slightly curved, palm down, from the forehead, chest, abdomen slowly put down, feel a sense of defecation, repeatedly do 20 times.
Section III: ① two hands clenched fist, from the side of the upper abdomen down to knock on the abdominal wall 20 times. ② hands knead the two ribs, thumbs in the front abdominal wall, four fingers in the side abdomen and back support pressure 20 times. ③ two fists on both sides of the lower abdomen, fist with the abdominal breathing up and down pressure. If not defecate, can rest a minute or two, then repeat. When you want to defecate, the two fists should be slightly harder to hold the lower abdomen is more conducive to defecation. If the abdominal intestinal tinnitus, belching, “out of the false respect” and a sense of heat in the abdomen when doing exercises, these are normal phenomena, do not worry.
Third, the elderly chronic constipation diet.
Rice soup and egg soup: raw materials, honey 20 ml, egg 1.
Method, add honey and stir well, then rushed into hot rice soup, and then placed for 15 minutes that is. This soup can be taken daily before breakfast.
Efficacy and indications, laxative effect, suitable for people with constipation caused by Qi deficiency.
Wood ear crane quail egg soup: 50 grams of raw materials, 5 quail eggs, 30 grams of rock sugar.
Method of preparation. Soak white fungus in water for 12 hours, then add rock sugar and quail eggs together and stew for 10 minutes. This soup can be consumed every morning on an empty stomach.
Efficacy and indications of this soup has astringent lung and asthma, nourishing yin and nourishing Tong (4) bal einsteinium ū stunned Nao breakfast especially suitable for people with constipation caused by gastric prolapse.
Lily soup: 250 grams of raw materials, the right amount of honey.
The method of preparation, then add honey and mix well. This soup can be eaten once a day.
Efficacy and indications, suitable for constipation caused by intestinal dryness and fluid deficiency.
Sweet potato porridge: 150 grams of raw materials, white rice, honey and the appropriate amount of each.
Preparation method, peel, cut into small pieces, and white rice and water together to cook porridge, add the appropriate amount of honey after the porridge is cooked. This porridge can be eaten once a day in the morning and once in the evening.
Efficacy and indications This porridge has the effect of nourishing the qi, laxative, suitable for constipation caused by qi deficiency.
Sweet potato and jujube soup: 200 grams of raw materials, 30 grams of jujube, honey and the appropriate amount. Preparation method, add 500 ml of water in the pot, with a high fire will be sweet potatoes, jujube boil until sticky, then add honey and stir, and then cook for 10 minutes with a gentle fire is ready. This soup can be eaten once a day.
Efficacy and indications of this soup has a tonic effect, suitable for people with constipation deficiency of Qi and blood.
Experts remind.
1, the elderly intestinal function is weak, do not use enema-type drugs! The use of these drugs can only be a momentary relief, aggravating constipation.
2, the treatment of constipation in the elderly should be based on gentle, perennial constipation patients can be a small amount (50 models of 5 to 10 ml) of bifidus factor and tea, soup and other mixed drinking, or even as water to drink.
3, the elderly must also maintain a good mood and keep exercise to promote intestinal peristalsis.