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98 Years Old Developed Loose Bowel Movement. Suggest Some Medication
Question: My mother aged 98 has developed loose bowels over the last several mths. I feed her a high fiber and roughage diet, have tried Metamucil to create more body. (this seemed to help for awhile - several weeks-- yet no longer). Her Dr. has recommended probiotics.
Nothing I have attempted has helped. I understand the weakening of rectal musles, etc. with age may contribute to this condition. She's always used laxatives most of her adult life. However now only rarely does she have a normal stool. Clean up always is involved with her movements at this time.
Perhaps trying a different regimen of psyllium would help?
If probiotics assists in compacting, what strains must be included and what is the best
form to ingest it?
I give her fruits regularly and low sodium everything.
Also she does have a sweet tooth. Lower sugared ice cream and confections moderately
are given to her.
Not much cheese, eggs, dairy or meats in daily meals.
She does not exercise much--sitting most of awake hours.
Does a drug exist or supplement that can aid elderly with consistent very loose bowels?
Any suggestions?
respectfully,
XXXXXXX
Nothing I have attempted has helped. I understand the weakening of rectal musles, etc. with age may contribute to this condition. She's always used laxatives most of her adult life. However now only rarely does she have a normal stool. Clean up always is involved with her movements at this time.
Perhaps trying a different regimen of psyllium would help?
If probiotics assists in compacting, what strains must be included and what is the best
form to ingest it?
I give her fruits regularly and low sodium everything.
Also she does have a sweet tooth. Lower sugared ice cream and confections moderately
are given to her.
Not much cheese, eggs, dairy or meats in daily meals.
She does not exercise much--sitting most of awake hours.
Does a drug exist or supplement that can aid elderly with consistent very loose bowels?
Any suggestions?
respectfully,
XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX,
It is common for elderly people to develop a change in stool consistency. You are doing the right things by giving metamucil, however psyillum should be better. Probiotics do not assist in compacting the stool, but certainly may change her bacteria in the gut which at the end may (or may not) change the stool consistency. If she is eating "artificial sweeteners" (such as Splenda, sweet n low, etc), these are usually not absorbed and can cause diarrhea, so these should be avoided.
She can take over the counter Loperamide (Imodium) if the loose stools are significant, but she should take very small doses given her age (around 1 tablet or 2mg every 4-6 hours at the maximum).
If all this fails, then she may have an incontinence problem (weakening of the rectal muscles), for which at her age there is not much that can be done.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any further questions, sincerely,
It is common for elderly people to develop a change in stool consistency. You are doing the right things by giving metamucil, however psyillum should be better. Probiotics do not assist in compacting the stool, but certainly may change her bacteria in the gut which at the end may (or may not) change the stool consistency. If she is eating "artificial sweeteners" (such as Splenda, sweet n low, etc), these are usually not absorbed and can cause diarrhea, so these should be avoided.
She can take over the counter Loperamide (Imodium) if the loose stools are significant, but she should take very small doses given her age (around 1 tablet or 2mg every 4-6 hours at the maximum).
If all this fails, then she may have an incontinence problem (weakening of the rectal muscles), for which at her age there is not much that can be done.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any further questions, sincerely,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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