Constipation in older adults
As we get older, our bodies go through many different stages and changes. Constipation in older adults is very common. Before it can have an impact on your happiness and quality of life1, it's important to understand what's happening to your body and what you can do to get things moving again.
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10 min read
Causes of constipation in older adults
Constipation in older adults is very common, particularly after the age of 652.
There are many different causes of constipation in older adults. These can include inactivity, poor diet, depression and confusion, as well as certain medications. There are also certain disorders which affect the nervous system of the bowels, responsible for stimulating the bowel muscles and moving food through the digestive system1,3,4.
Your body is changing
As people get older, the process of digestion slows down. The ageing bowel needs more time to move food through the digestive system, which can trigger constipation1.
Taking medication
Many older adults take long-term medication. Some of these medicines can cause constipation as a side-effect.
New lifestyle habits
When we get older, we tend to move around and exercise less. Our diet might change overtime as well. Lifestyle changes like this can have an impact on our digestive systems2.
What happens to your body as you get older?
Constipation can often be a sign of changes that are happening in your body as you get older. Let's explore some of these changes:
Changes in your digestive system
Your digestive system is a series of muscles that need to contract to process your food. These muscle contractions depend on a coordinated innervation by the nerves of the large intestine. This process slows down as your digestive system ages, resulting in a slower paced bowel movement. The longer it takes for your poo to travel through your system, it becomes harder, dryer and more difficult to pass. This can often lead to straining, along with painful and infrequent trips to the toilet2,4.
Changes caused by medication
Many older adults require long-term medication. Several of these medicines are well known to slow down the digestive process. These include some drugs used to treat depression, antacids containing aluminium or calcium, iron supplements, some allergy medicines (antihistamines), certain painkillers (NSAIDs, opioids), some drugs for high blood pressure, including diuretics, and some drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease5. If you’re taking any new medication and start having difficulty going to the toilet, talk to your doctor.
Changes to your diet
Your digestive system becomes more sensitive to unhealthy eating habits as you get older. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, prepared food, dairy products and eggs, or rich desserts and sugary sweets while not eating enough high-fibre foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains may cause constipation6 in older adults.
Less physical exercise
Your body needs to stay active to keep your digestive system moving. As we get older, we tend to exercise less and our bodies tend to relax more. This makes muscle stimulation in the digestive system a bit more difficult. Modest physical activity can help people with constipation. On the flipside, prolonged physical inactivity can make people less regular. And long periods in bed after illness or surgery may cause constipation2.
A few tricks to get things moving
There are a number of simple things you can try - at any stage of your life - to prevent or relieve constipation.
The Dulco® range
Dulco® products help get your digestive system moving. We have different types of relief available, including gradual relief, overnight relief and fast relief. All will make you feel lighter, brighter and more comfortable.
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DulcoEase® Capsules
DulcoEase® Capsules are a gentle and effective laxative that gradually relieve constipation. The dual effect action softens poo and stimulates the bowel, resulting in an increase in bowel movements and softer poo that's easier to pass.
Dulcolax® Adult Tablets
Dulcolax® Tablets provide targeted relief that works away whilst you sleep, stimulating your natural bowel movement in harmony with your body. Take at night in the comfort of your own home to make it easier to pass poo when you wake up (between 6-12 hours later). So, you can expect to feel good inside and out.
Dulcolax® Adult Pico Liquid oral solution
Dulcolax® Adult Pico Liquid is a fruit flavoured liquid solution that provides predictable, overnight relief from constipation in 6-12 hours.
Dulcolax® Twelve Plus suppositories
Get fast relief in 10-30 minutes with this quick-acting stimulant laxative. Dulcolax® Twelve Plus 10mg suppositories work quickly to stimulate bowel muscles and soften poo, making it easier to pass.
-
Dulcolax® Adult Tablets
Dulcolax® Tablets provide targeted relief that works away whilst you sleep, stimulating your natural bowel movement in harmony with your body. Take at night in the comfort of your own home to make it easier to pass poo when you wake up (between 6-12 hours later). So, you can expect to feel good inside and out.
Dulcolax® Adult Pico Liquid oral solution
Dulcolax® Adult Pico Liquid is a fruit flavoured liquid solution that provides predictable, overnight relief from constipation in 6-12 hours.
-
DulcoEase® Capsules
DulcoEase® Capsules are a gentle and effective laxative that gradually relieve constipation. The dual effect action softens poo and stimulates the bowel, resulting in an increase in bowel movements and softer poo that's easier to pass.
-
Dulcolax® Twelve Plus suppositories
Get fast relief in 10-30 minutes with this quick-acting stimulant laxative. Dulcolax® Twelve Plus 10mg suppositories work quickly to stimulate bowel muscles and soften poo, making it easier to pass.
Stay in the know
Constipation can be bothersome and persistent. Because we know how frustrating and stressful it can be, we can help you identify the causes of constipation and how you can prevent it.
Why can stress cause constipation?
Our digestive system is sensitive to stress. Whether you’re experiencing stress at work, fighting against deadlines or going through a tough time in a relationship, it can all impact heavily on your digestive system. Healthy mind, healthy body.
Why does pregnancy cause constipation?
During pregnancy, certain hormones increase and trigger lots of changes in the body. Pregnant women often suffer from difficult and irregular trips to the toilet, as well as abdominal pain and discomfort. Although not dangerous in most cases, it's important to deal with constipation properly in pregnancy.
Which daily habits can cause constipation?
There are things we do during the day that can have an impact on our digestive system. Stress, travel, diet and lifestyle can all cause constipation. But fear not, there are some simple changes you can make to get things moving again.
Why can travel cause constipation?
Constipation can happen when your life or daily routine changes. For example, travelling can sometimes shake things up and change your bowel movements. Adapting to new time zones, new foods and new environments can trigger your digestive system to get constipated.
1. De Giorgio R, Ruggeri E, Stanghellini V, Eusebi LH, Bazzoli F, Chiarioni G. Chronic constipation in the elderly: a primer for the gastroenterologist. BMC Gastroenterol. 2015 Oct 14;15:130.
2. Müller-Lissner SA, Kamm MA, Scarpignato C, Wald A. Myths and misconceptions about chronic constipation. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Jan;100(1):232-42.
3. Schuster BG, Kosar L, Kamrul R. Constipation in older adults: stepwise approach to keep things moving. Can Fam Physician. 2015;61(2):152-158.
4. Bharucha AE, Lacy BE. Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Management of Chronic Constipation. Gastroenterology. 2020 Apr;158(5):1232-1249.e3. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034
5. Camilleri M, Ford AC, Mawe GM, Dinning PG, Rao SS, Chey WD, Simrén M, Lembo A, Young-Fadok TM, Chang L. Chronic constipation. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Dec 14;3:17095.
6. Basilisco G, Coletta M. Chronic constipation: a critical review. Dig Liver Dis. 2013 Nov;45(11):886-93.
7. John Hopkins Medicine. Health conditions and diseases – Constipation. 2021. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/constipation Accessed 14/11/2022
8. Mayo Clinic 2019 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253 Accessed 14/11/2022
9. World Gastroenterology Organisation. Coping with common gastrointestinal symptoms in the community: a global perspective on heartburn, constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain/discomfort May 2013. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014 Aug;48(7):567-78.
10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health (NIH) – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Constipation. 2018 https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/definition-facts Accessed 14/11/2022