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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Constipation In An Elderly Person

I am male 65. For the past 3 months I struggle with constipation. I take citrucel twice a day two tablespoons each time. I take mineral oil daily. I can go 3 days without feeling a urge to go. After 5 days I take ducolax the in have a bowel movement. I also take a stool softener daily. I feel fine, but don t understand why I have this problem and nothing seems to help. Thank you for your advice. A
Mon, 10 Apr 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks fkr the query. I understand your concern.
With the age.. there is change in body activities including clearance of bowel.. due to changed metabolism.. sluggish body activities ... lack of active life style or some diseases like diabetes.
One needs to control constipation by changes in life style &assistance of purgatives as per need....as follows -
- Eat more fibers (husk of grains.. eat non refined grains/vegetables,salads,fruits with skins where ever possible.
-Eat less of refined food.. fast food...oils... (sticky food).. sweets./over or under eating to be avoided.
-Drink at least 12 glasses of water in a day. Drinking a big glass of warm water with one spoon honey &1/4th lemon ... first thing in morning helps.
-Routine exercises ( walking,swimming/yoga exercises /abdominal exercises )for 45 minutes a day is necessory.
-Having sound sleep for 6-8 hours in a day. Positive approach to life
You can use purgatives or stool softners in beginning &wean it off slowly... can have it as per need thereafter.
Thanks.
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Suggest Treatment For Constipation In An Elderly Person

Hi, Thanks fkr the query. I understand your concern. With the age.. there is change in body activities including clearance of bowel.. due to changed metabolism.. sluggish body activities ... lack of active life style or some diseases like diabetes. One needs to control constipation by changes in life style &assistance of purgatives as per need....as follows - - Eat more fibers (husk of grains.. eat non refined grains/vegetables,salads,fruits with skins where ever possible. -Eat less of refined food.. fast food...oils... (sticky food).. sweets./over or under eating to be avoided. -Drink at least 12 glasses of water in a day. Drinking a big glass of warm water with one spoon honey &1/4th lemon ... first thing in morning helps. -Routine exercises ( walking,swimming/yoga exercises /abdominal exercises )for 45 minutes a day is necessory. -Having sound sleep for 6-8 hours in a day. Positive approach to life You can use purgatives or stool softners in beginning &wean it off slowly... can have it as per need thereafter. Thanks.