AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise GERONTOLOGY (NURSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE ELDERY) I have 15+ years experience working with the elderly. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. My areas of expertise include: Gerontology / Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Community Nursing, Palliative Care, Private Nursing Services, Intermediate / Extended Care. I also have a personal interest in Homeopathic and Eastern Medicine. If I can not answer your question I`ll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you.
Experience I have fifteen years experience in Gerontological Nursing both in the community, and in Long Term Care. I have worked as a General Duty Nurse, a Nurse Manager, and a Nursing Consultant in Long Term Care and Community Nursing.I have a great deal of experience working with, assessing, and educating in the field of Gerontology (Nursing the Elderly). I am familiar with the challenges associated with Dementia (Alzheimer's), Chronic and Terminal illnesses, and the stresses of residential homes Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Question I'm not sure if you can help me but for the past 2 months i been having problems where my body wont produce a bowel movement. i go days without going even weeks. my stomach will bloat and push out so far and hurt, i have to take laxatives to go. i started eating vegetables and more grains tried fiber pills an nothings really helping. my body seems to be getting immune to the laxatives seeing as the last time i used one my body went into severe pain an wouldn't pass a movement. what should i do. my mother thinks i have a bowel obstruction!!
Answer Hi Angel and thanks for writing,
Constipation is a common challenge with older adults and it helps to understand what it is to help treat it. Constipation is simply dehydrated stools which are difficult and often painful to pass as they are dry and hard; the dryness is caused by inadequate fluid intake (common in seniors), or stool moving too slowly through the colon and having too much water absorbed from it before it reaches the rectum (which can be a side-effect of some medications). If left untreated, constipation can lead to fecal impaction or even an obstructed bowel which can be life-threatening if not caught immediately.
The best way to treat and avoid constipation is:
-ensure adequate daily fluid intake (water is the best fluid to hydrate, tea and coffee and sodas actually increase dehydration so don’t count),
-ensure adequate daily fiber intake by either adding natural fiber to the diet (by consuming more vegetables, fruits, whole meal breads, baked beans and chick peas and by adding linseeds to one's diet) or supplementing with Flax Seed (avoid products like Metamucil unless you are can drink a minimum of 8-10 oz water right after it or it will turn into concrete in the gut), of course nothing beats prunes and apricots!
-LBT3 by Wild Rose is an excellent herbal supplement which promotes healthy bowel function and prevents constipation,
-getting daily exercise to promote digestion and bowel motility,
-seeing your family doctor to rule out other possible causes like Hypothyroidism, Hypokalemia, or obstructions in the colon (although I really don't think you have an obstruction from what you have written).
I hope this helps relieve the discomfort and promote healthy bowel function,
