Choose the right laxative for the elderly

In the elderly, people are most prone to constipation. These are age changes that need to be addressed. Since most drugs have side effects, other methods can be used for treatment. Laxatives for constipation for the elderly are used before surgery, with poisoning, in parallel with anthelmintic medicines. They can also be prescribed if defecation is difficult due to adynamia, thyroid disease, atherosclerosis or eating in an amount inadequate for the body.

• Causes of constipation
• The first steps to recovery
• Types of laxatives
• Inexpensive and effective means
• The best laxatives for the elderly
• After operation
• For the elderly with diabetes mellitus
• For older bedridden patients
• For the elderly with gastritis
• Laxative folk remedies
• Elder
• Collection of herbs
• Laxative collection
• Contraindications and side effects

Causes of constipation

In the elderly, the symptoms of various diseases are often lubricated. Many consider it normal if the defecation does not occur within a week. And this leads to a deterioration in overall well-being, sometimes, to incontinence of feces.

Factors affecting constipation:

• natural age changes;
• the presence of diseases;
• intake of food and liquid in insufficient quantities;
• abuse of laxatives;
• muscle weakness;
• hypothyroidism;
• progressive diseases (diabetes mellitus);
• taking medications to treat existing ailments;
• psychological factor;
• sedentary lifestyle.

Important!Common causes of constipation are unbalanced nutrition and physical activity limitations.

The first steps to recovery

Before you start taking laxatives, you should take care of your diet and restore the water balance. The first rule to remember is to drink a glass of water every day on an empty stomach. Thus, the work of the intestine is started, the food is more easily absorbed by the body.

It is worth paying special attention to those products that you use in the diet. Often, most elderly people do not spoil themselves with meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. That is, products containing a sufficient amount of vitamin and nutrients. The body needs nutritious fibers, and at the same time, a liquid that is drunk in a volume of at least 1.5 liters per day.

Types of laxatives

If proper nutrition does not help, there is no improvement - you need to run after medicines. All laxatives are systematized. They have different effects, each group has its pros and cons. To date, laxatives are divided into several main types.

Preparations of irritant action

Affect the receptors of the colon, increase peristalsis and lead to emptying. It is commonly believed that this species is the strongest. Their result is felt in a short time, after 5-10 hours are laxatives of rapid action. But frequent use of such drugs is contraindicated. Laxatives of this group are often used for acute constipation (Senad, Bisacodyl, Guttalax, Regulax, Slabilen).

Osmotic laxatives

For each patient, preparations of this type have a different effect. In some, the result is observed after 4 hours, and the second wait for its day. The dignity of these drugs lies in their ability to eliminate the cause of constipation. They increase the pressure in the rectum, and soften the stool masses. Treatment with osmotic laxatives does not exclude prolonged use without habituation (Forlax, Magnesium sulfate, Macrogol).

Prebiotics that have a laxative effect

Their cleavage occurs in the large intestine. At the same time, they form organic acids and acquire an osmotic property: they increase the volume of softened fecal masses. In a day you can feel the effect of the drugs of this group. Prebiotics restore the microflora and normalize the work of the intestine (Goodluck, Lactulose, Dufalac, Lactusan, Prelax).

Fillers (volumetric)

These include drugs of natural origin, which are well absorbed by the body. They absorb liquid, as a result of which they swell, increase and soften feces. Their effectiveness becomes noticeable after 8 hours, for some, the result is delayed up to three days. This category includes dietary supplements. Most of them include senna leaves that are addictive (Phytolax, Frutolax). But there are preparations of plant origin and without senna (Fitomycil).

Combined preparations

Their composition launches several mechanisms simultaneously. They are able to irritate, envelop and soften, such drugs include Microclix Microlax.

Important!A long period of treatment with irritant drugs leads to a violation of the tone of the intestine.

Inexpensive and effective means

The shelves of pharmacies are filled with a wide range of medicines. For people of advanced age, the cost of drugs is rather important. Therefore it is important to know cheap drugs that will help relieve constipation. The list of these medicines is small. But still there is a choice!

Budget means for cleaning the intestines of Senada. Taking this drug, you must remember to drink in large quantities of water (about 2 liters per day). For the purposes of elimination, use Bisacodyl tablets and suppositories. Absolutely safe for health are glycerin suppositories. Another effective and affordable for the elderly, the drug will be a drop of Slabilen.

The best laxatives for the elderly

According to statistics, the majority of the population in old age has a problem with the stool. According to the doctors, this category is mostly women. For the most part this is due to the fact that the weaker sex during life often refers to laxatives. Again, it could be all known causes: pregnancy, constipation after childbirth or the desire to lose weight. The body developed a habit, so, in old age, he can not cope on his own with cleansing of the intestine and withdrawal of stool.

In old age, people need to be careful with the choice of medicines. Often, experts appoint elderly women and men laxatives with irritating effect, as well as plant origin.

1. Guttalax. Almost not addictive, long enough reception is allowed. The drug is distinguished by its mild effect on the intestines.
2. It's weak. Assign to the elderly with neglected forms. They are released in the form of drops, which lead to a laxative effect, irritating the intestines.
3. Dibrolaks. Based on the well-known and often found in the purgative Senna. The preparation of irritating action causes ambiguous responses. Most doctors are convinced of the insecurity of taking this medication.

After operation

In some cases, after surgery, doctors recommend the patient to take laxatives. Most often it is used when the patient is undesirable to strain the muscles.

First of all, of course, the patient is recommended to adhere to a strict diet (chicken broth, pumpkin, zucchini and natural yogurt) and drinking regime. It is necessary to specify a set of medical exercises with the doctor. Medications in the postoperative period should be taken with extreme caution, since laxatives of some groups are able to increase fecal formations, which can negatively affect the intestines after surgical intervention. Ideal option in this case are glycerin suppositories and enemas with water.

For the elderly with diabetes mellitus

With diabetes, patients have to constantly be under the supervision of doctors. With this disease, all body functions fail. It is not surprising that in diabetics, the elderly often have constipation. With this disease, the taking of any medication must necessarily be coordinated with the doctors.

To treat constipation with diabetes mellitus I grade Dufalac. Experts are sure that this drug can not do any harm to the patient. This is a syrup containing purified water and lactulose. The only point at which this laxative is contraindicated is the individual intolerance of the components. With type II diabetes, Dufalac is not recommended because any of the medications can disrupt the sugar balance.

A special laxative for diabetes is Transilan without sugar. The drug is a powder for the preparation of a suspension. This is a ballast laxative, which helps increase the bacterial mass of feces.

Another remedy for diabetes Regulax. It is distinguished by its pleasant plum flavor. In the pharmaceutical market for more than 30 years, which proves its reliability and high quality. In order to have an effect in the morning, it is necessary to take the medicine at night.

For older bedridden patients

For recumbent patients, it is recommended to take laxatives of "slow" action. These drugs are "slow" action based on lactulose and polyethylene glycol.

These drugs include:

• Portalac (powder and syrup);
• Dufalac (syrup);
• Forlax (powder).

Reception of the drug Portalalak appointed for the treatment of chronic constipation. One of his important actions is the elimination of ammonia. Apply it once a day for 15-45 ml per day.

Forlaks refers to laxative agents of osmotic action. Take the drug in the morning for 1-2 packages. Its action comes in a day or two. Do not recommend taking the drug for more than three weeks.

For the elderly with gastritis

Gastroenterologist is responsible for prescribing the drug for gastritis. Often recommend to purchase the grasses (licorice root, chamomile collection), docusate sodium in microclysters, irritants (buckthorn extract), lacto- and bifidobacteria, laxative-based laxatives.

Important!Most often, gastritis is prescribed folk remedies.

Laxative folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers treatment for infusions and broths cooked on herbs.

Elder

Clear the intestines and forget about the constipation can be, if you mix 50 grams of crushed berries joster and inflorescences of black elderberry. In enameled dishes pour 1 tbsp. l. mixture and pour 200 ml of boiling water, put everything on the fire and remove after 5 minutes. Cooled and strained broth should be taken 2 times a day for 200 ml (sutra - on an empty stomach, in the evening - before going to bed).

Collection of herbs

It will also help with constipation also herbal collection based on 10 g anise, 10 g fennel, 60 g buckthorn and 20 g licorice root. It is necessary to take 1 tbsp. l. carefully crushed and mixed collection and pour 250 ml of water. Put the mixture on a stove and allow to boil on a small fire for 5 minutes. After the broth cools down, filter it and take a glass every day twice a day.

Laxative collection

Mix 30 grams of buckthorn bark, leaves of holly cassia, leaves of the hopper and 10 grams of anise fruit and licorice root. Take 1 tbsp. l. Collect and pour boiling water (200 ml), cover the container and put it in the infusion. Infusion take half the glass 1 time before bed.

Contraindications and side effects

Before taking medication, you need to study the instructions. Elderly people should always agree on the medication with the attending physician. Laxatives are contraindicated in the elderly hypersensitivity to the components. If the patient has constipation, there are suspicions of intestinal obstruction, squeezed organs in the area of ​​the exit of the hernia, inflammation of the internal organs during the exacerbation. Also, elderly people should refuse to receive funds for bowel cleansing with, of various kinds, internal bleeding, electrolyte metabolism disorder, appendicitis. Do not take with inflammation of the bladder and pain in the abdominal area that have arisen for unknown reasons.

Taking laxatives without consulting a doctor can lead to side effects. Often this is expressed by vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cramps, rashes and colic. If there is an adverse reaction, it is necessary to inform the doctor.