Don’t Ignore Constipation in Elderly – Effects on Health and Cognitive Function

Do you often hear elders complain that “I can’t get a tuba for several days”?

Dr. Chen found that more and more elderschronic constipationcome to see a doctor. Constipation in the elderly is usually caused by poor contractility of intestinal muscles and poor coordination of nerves. Many elders have chronic diseases at the same time, and because of taking blood pressure-lowering drugs, they affect the muscles around the gastrointestinal tract, slow down intestinal peristalsis, and aggravate constipation.

prone to long-term constipationProlapsed hemorrhoids, anal fissure, rectal prolapse, diverticulitis of large bowelAnd other issues. Especially for the elderly with long-term constipation, more attention should be paid to two situations that may occur, which seriously affect the lives of the parties and caregivers.

Long-term constipation in hypertensive patients may increase the risk of sudden death

Excessive force during defecation will cause muscle tension, vasoconstriction, and increased pressure in the chest cavity and abdominal cavity.In hypertensive patients, if they defecate hard, their blood pressure will rise suddenly, increasing their blood pressure.Angina, myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, strokeprobability.

Indirectly affect the cognitive function of the brain

A study in the journal CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics found that constipation may bedementiaPrecursor to affect brain cognitive function.The study pointed out that constipation may also trigger changes in the structure of gut microbes, affectinggut immune systemAnd indirectly cause inflammation of the vagus nerve connected to the central nervous system of the brain, damage neurons, and lead to cognitive impairment.

Many people also responded to Dr. Chen that it is not easy for the elderly to improve their constipation problem. Many elders are not able to eat fiber-rich foods because of bad teeth; also because of long-term medication for chronic diseases, Guimei’s constipation is getting worse.

If it is really difficult for the elderly to adjust their daily schedule, after diagnosis by a doctor, chronic constipation can usually be improved through the following methods:

laxative treatment

Patients with poor gastrointestinal motility and “slow transit constipation” can use stimulant laxatives to directly stimulate intestinal peristalsis. If the intestinal peristalsis of the elders is normal, but they often feel that the bowel movements are not clean and they feel pressured to defecate, they can use salt laxatives, such as magnesium oxide, to stimulate the secretion of cholecystokinin and use osmotic pressure to pull water back into the intestinal tract. And stimulate the peristalsis of the intestinal wall.

Biofeedback Therapy (Boofeedback)

Some elders also suffer from constipation due to abnormal sensation and coordination of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter muscles. It is suggested that the coordination of abdominal and anal muscles can be trained through biofeedback therapy. Biofeedback therapy also has a “simulated defecation” training method to help the elderly use the muscles of the abdomen and anus to learn how to defecate correctly.

Dr. Chen reminded that constipation seems to be a minor symptom, but it is actually a warning sign of gastrointestinal abnormalities, and serious diseases may be hidden behind it!

If constipation symptomsAccompanied by symptoms such as abdominal distension, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, blood or mucus in the stoolbe careful it may be hiddenIntestinal blockage, diverticulitis, or colorectal cancerMajor diseases. If the elders have the above phenomena, don’t ignore them! It is recommended to go to the colorectal surgeon for examination as soon as possible to avoid all kinds of inconvenience and troubles in life caused by constipation.

References

1. Constipation‐induced pressor effects as triggers for cardiovascular events PMID: 30761728 PMCID: PMC8030287

2. Impact of constipation on progression of Alzheimer’s disease: A retrospective study DOI: 10.1111/cns.13940

3. Identifying health conditions associated with Alzheimer’s disease up to 15 years before diagnosis: an agnostic study of French and British health records DOI:10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00275-2

This article is reprinted from the FB fan page of Dr. Chen Weiyou of Colorectal Surgery. The original text is:Don’t ignore constipation in the elderly! Chronic constipation may affect the cognitive function of the brain and increase the rate of sudden death!