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92 Year Old Suffering From Constipation. Taking Cremaffin. Severe Weight Loss. Need Advice
Hello doctor My father is 92 yrs old and he has very very acute constipation problem since ages. Since last few years he was having cremaffin plus 27-28 ml at bed time and then next day morning with the help of Dulcolax suppository he used to pass stool . Now since last 10 days we are giving 10 ml cremaffin plus twice a day and 30 ml looz at bed time... For few days motion was erratic but now he passes stool few times ( earlier it was once in the morning). He has become much more weak in these few days. His wright is around 36 kg. Please advice if we need to change doses of cremaffin as well as looz. Regards Pushp
Mon, 25 Mar 2013
Constipation can be spastic or atonic. The type of constipation your father is having is atonic constipation (sluggish bowel). This occurs in old age. Laxative abuse potentiates this problem. Pugatives generally result in after constipation ie., after each evacuation, it takes 2 to 3 days for the bowel to fill up & distend. But the person is convinced that that constipation has recurred & starts taking laxatives regularly.
Cremaffin is not suitable for regular use & is indicated only as occasional laxative. When used daily it reduces the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, can cause lipid pneumonia or foreign body granulomas. Regular dose should not exceed 30 ml per day but your father is using much more than that.
Adequate fiber in diet, plenty of fluids will reduce the severity of constipation. bran, the bulk purgative is a better alternative to cremaffin.
Other non malignant causes of weight loss in elderly like malabsorption, inflammatory bowel disease & hyper thyroidism should be excluded.
Also, severe weight loss & alteration of bowel movements in an elderly person is suggestive of colon cancer & that possibility should be ruled out.
Cremaffin is not suitable for regular use & is indicated only as occasional laxative. When used daily it reduces the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, can cause lipid pneumonia or foreign body granulomas. Regular dose should not exceed 30 ml per day but your father is using much more than that.
Adequate fiber in diet, plenty of fluids will reduce the severity of constipation. bran, the bulk purgative is a better alternative to cremaffin.
Other non malignant causes of weight loss in elderly like malabsorption, inflammatory bowel disease & hyper thyroidism should be excluded.
Also, severe weight loss & alteration of bowel movements in an elderly person is suggestive of colon cancer & that possibility should be ruled out.
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Hello, Pushpmitr,
God bless your 92 years young father. At his age unfortunately all
the musculature that controls the movement of the intestine gets
weak. The sphincters around the rectum are also weak.
The Cremaffin Plus contains Magnesium Hydroxide, Paraffin and sodium
picosulfate. In my opinion this is a little strong at his age.
I would suggest a PEG solution (Polyethylene Glycol ) which is safer
than the Magnesium. You can adjust the dose according to the response.
You can use the suppository if needed. Even if he has a bowel movement
every other day ,it is fine. Give him some fresh fruits like pineapple , banana etc.
I wish him the very best.
God bless your 92 years young father. At his age unfortunately all
the musculature that controls the movement of the intestine gets
weak. The sphincters around the rectum are also weak.
The Cremaffin Plus contains Magnesium Hydroxide, Paraffin and sodium
picosulfate. In my opinion this is a little strong at his age.
I would suggest a PEG solution (Polyethylene Glycol ) which is safer
than the Magnesium. You can adjust the dose according to the response.
You can use the suppository if needed. Even if he has a bowel movement
every other day ,it is fine. Give him some fresh fruits like pineapple , banana etc.
I wish him the very best.
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