Symptoms of constipation in the elderly

Constipation refers to a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements, accompanied by dry and hard stools and difficulty in defecation. Most people experience this symptom, especially the elderly, who will habitually suffer from constipation due to the weakening of the digestive system. It is understood that nearly half of the elderly have the habit of constipation, which seriously affects their quality of life. To treat the symptoms of constipation, we must first clearly understand the symptoms of constipation so that we can prescribe the right medicine and treat it effectively.

In fact, the symptoms of constipation are very obvious, generally manifested as obvious ethylene symptoms such as difficulty in defecation, too little stool, and too hard stool. However, constipation in the elderly can also lead to some other complications, such as fainting, myocardial infarction, hemorrhoids, etc. In severe cases, it can also cause some physiological changes that are invisible to the naked eye.

The main manifestations of constipation are reduced bowel movement frequency and difficulty in defecation. Many patients have less than 2 bowel movements per week, and in severe cases, only once every 2 to 4 weeks. However, reduced bowel movement frequency is not the only or necessary manifestation of constipation. Some patients may have prominent manifestations of difficulty in defecation, with defecation time of more than 30 minutes, or multiple bowel movements a day, but with difficulty. The stool is hard like sheep dung and in small quantities. In addition, there is abdominal distension, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain before defecation due to improper use of laxatives. Physical examination shows intestinal loops with feces in the lower left abdomen, and rectal examination shows fecal lumps.

Constipation may be the only clinical manifestation or one of the symptoms of a certain disease. For patients with constipation, the medical history should be understood, physical examination should be performed, and further examinations should be performed if necessary to determine whether there is mechanical obstruction of the digestive tract or motility disorder.

Physical examination can reveal some evidence of constipation, such as the presence of a dilated abdomen and palpable intestinal loops that store feces. Examination of the anus and rectum can reveal the presence of rectal prolapse, anal fissure pain, anal stenosis, and impacted feces. It can also estimate changes in anal canal tension at rest and during straining.

Through the above introduction, I believe you have a deeper understanding of constipation in the elderly. The symptoms generally shown by the elderly when they are constipated are very obvious, so when the above symptoms appear, timely measures should be taken for treatment. At the same time, after constipation is confirmed, more attention should be paid to some of the less obvious symptoms mentioned above, and active attention should be paid to the health of the elderly.