Page 24 - Seniorstoday September-2023 Issue

function, electrolytes, or renal function: ● Iron supplements: Doctors prescribe
These include uremia, hypercalcemia, and
hypothyroidism.
● Inflammatory diseases, such as
diverticular disease or proctitis
● Intestinal obstructions, including
anorectal blockage and tumors
● Anatomical problems of the digestive
tract
● Colorectal problems
● Some health conditions that affect the
colon can impede and restrict the passage of
stool, leading to constipation, such as
● cancerous tumors, a hernia, scar tissue,
diverticulitis
● colorectal stricture, which is an abnormal
narrowing of the colon or rectum
● inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
● Intestinal blockage: This can occur if
a tumor blocks or squeezes part of the
digestive system.
● Conditions that affect the digestive
system: Constipation can occur with celiac
disease, IBD, and other inflammatory
conditions.
Some medications
● Some medications can also increase the
risk of constipation. These include:
● pain relief drugs: including codeine,
oxycodone and hydromorphone
● antidepressants: such as amitriptyline
and imipramine
● Certain anticonvulsants: Examples
include phenytoin and carbamazepine
● Calcium channel blockers: These are
antihypertensives, including diltiazem and
nifedipine.
● Antacids that contain aluminum and
calcium.
● Diuretics: These remove excess
fluid from the body. They include
hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide.
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these to treat iron deficiency anemia.
Irritable bowel syndrome - C
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a
common digestive disorder affecting 7-21%
of the general population. IBS-C is a type
of IBS in which abdominal discomfort or
bloating happens with constipation. A
person with IBS – c may experience:
● abdominal pain
● bloating
● distension
● changes in the frequency or consistency
of stools
With IBS, constipation can fluctuate over
time. When constipation is absent, there
may instead be loose stools or diarrhea.
Overuse of laxatives
Worried about their bowel movements,
some people take laxatives to get regular
stools. Laxatives can help with bowel
movements, but regular use of certain
laxatives allows the body to get used to
their action, causing a person to continue
taking laxatives when they no longer need
them. The person may also need higher
doses to get the same effect.
This means that the more a person
depends on laxatives, the greater their risk
of constipation when they stop using them.
Not drinking enough water
The large intestine soaks up water from
your food waste. If you don’t have enough
water in the body, you have hard stools
that are difficult to pass. It is important
to note that some liquids can increase the
risk of dehydration and make constipation
worse for some people. For example, those
who are prone to constipation should limit
their intake of caffeinated sodas, coffee, and
alcohol.