Constipation, Elderly
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Constipation Remedies for the Elderly

| Modified on Oct 30, 2024
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Natural remedies can be very helpful for those over 65 who are regularly troubled with constipation. Mayo Clinic indicates that roughly 26% of women and 16% of men over the age of 65 classify themselves as frequently constipated; generally, the older people get, the more often they are constipated. In many cases, constipation can be remedied quite easily and effectively. Educating people on the benefits of diet, exercise and how this affects bowel habits can be more effective than laxatives. Other natural cures for constipation include added fiber, organic psyllium, aloe vera and magnesium and other natural supplements.

Are Natural Remedies Effective for Treating Chronic Constipation in Older Patients?

If you visit your doctor regarding chronic constipation, you’ll likely be prescribed a regular laxative or stool softener, treatments many individuals become dependent upon. Seeking your doctor’s advice is important, nonetheless, as a doctor can help rule out more serious conditions like hypothyroidism. In many cases, natural remedies, such as natural supplements including aloe vera, psyllium and magnesium and dietary changes, exercise, and education can help people feel better and more comfortable.

1. Psyllium

Psyllium is a derivative of the husks of the seeds of the Plantago Ovata. This supplement contains a high concentration of soluble dietary fiber, a key ingredient for relieving constipation. The treatment helps increase stool weight, the frequency of movements and and a decrease in transit time from the gut. You can take ½ to 2 teaspoons of psyllium seed in 8 ounces of water daily.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a plant that has a naturally hydrating compound with a number of strong laxative compounds. The gel helps relieve inflammation and restore the natural moisture to the stool. Take a dose of 100 to 200 milligrams of aloe juice or 50 milligrams of aloe extract.

3. Magnesium

Dr. Mark Harmon lists magnesium as one of the most effective remedies for constipation. The mineral helps relieve tightness, cramping and inflammation. You can replenish your magnesium levels by eating foods high in magnesium, such as walnuts, pecans, brown rice, figs, collard greens, parsley, beans, barley and garlic. You can also take a regular dose of magnesium of 10 to 30 grams a day.

4. Water

Water is one of the best natural remedies for constipation, needed for regular bowel movements. People experiencing chronic constipation usually need to increase their water intake to improve regular bowel movement.

These remedies paired with regular exercise and a balanced diet can help remedy constipation in elderly people (as well as others of any age). Natural treatments are appropriate for safely and effectively relieving constipation. If you have discovered some other effective natural cures for constipation, please let us know!

Other Pages of Interest:

Constipation

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Apple Cider Vinegar

1 User Review
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Posted by Caitlin (Austin, TX) on 12/17/2008
 ★★★★★

Hi! I've found that if you drink your ACV first thing in the morning with ICE-WATER you will go to the bathroom within 20 minutes. My grandmother who was a mid-wife/healer back in the 20's always recommended a large icy, cold glass of water every morning to stay regular. She recommended a dash of lemon but I've found that a tablespoon of ACV more cleansing and better for my skin. I always, however, use a straw with ACV or lemon because of the acid on the teeth. I like the big, round ones that burger joints have sitting around. Before I forget, I did lose 3 pounds initially with the ACV but have found that I lose more when I eat right and exercise at least 20 minutes every other day. Initially the ACV made my pants fall off as it targeted my excess stomach area, but I'm stable now. I believe the ACV only goes so far; the rest is pushing away from those extra helpings, lots of water to get rid of toxins and stay regular, and at least 20 minutes of exercise (daily preferably). My grandmother lived to be 94. She walked and regularly caught the bus everywhere; she even danced a lot (what she called dancing anyway) till she was 89 and moved near a burger and chicken joint. Frequently eating at those places, which she never did on any kind of regular basis, brought 50lbs of weight gain on her tiny frame, diabetes and sight problems and, she eventually lost her legs at 92 to diabetes. This is the legacy of the fast food and sugar industry; we lose the great ones to their unhealthy slop! As you can tell I miss her and her ageless wisdom.

Replied by Leta
(Bolton, NC)
01/30/2009

I agree with you Caitlin. My grandmother was really into healthy eating and used a lot of wheat germ, flax seed and vinegar to stay healthy. She passed away 2 years ago at the age of 90 and was never sick. She was so wise and instilled in me the importance of healthy eating and the use of home remedies. I too miss her. I have struggled with my weight for many years but for several months I have been retraining myself on how to eat and utilizing a lot of what she taught me.

And the fast food stores... Oh My Gosh... I can not understand, in this day and age when more and more people are becoming more health conscience, why the fast food industry is not incorporating things like Turkey burgers, baked fries, grilled salmon, etc... I think I will start a Health Fast Food industry because isn't that one of the problems anyway with eating healthy -planning, inconvience, taste, etc?

I have incorporated flax seed in my breakfast or at least one meal a day, eating more fish, baked foods, and I personally like oatmeal. I add a little sea salt and a touch of smart balance light with omega for taste. I hate to seem like I am babbling on but these small changes in my life are helping me to lose weight and maybe it can help someone else. I also drink vinegar with a touch of baking soda to help with allergies. Hope this helps someone!

Apples and Pears

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Posted by Maureen (Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada) on 03/23/2008
 ★★★★★

An 89 year old family member was suffering from constipation and felt miserable. He did not own a juicer so I decided to try something. I bought a jar of unsweetened applesauce and the same size can of pear halves in water. I blended the pear halves with a tiny bit of water and mixed them with the applesauce. We both had a small bowl of the very tasty apple pear sauce. The next morning I had a very good bowl movement as I usually do but there was a difference. I phoned the family member and asked if he had relief. He did not. He said he had a pain in his stomach and felt awful. Later on around noon he got the sudden urge to go to the bathroom and emptied out completely. He did not quite make it to the bathroom which caused a problem but he felt like a million dollars as he said after he emptied out. Because of how it affected him, we waited one week then we agreed for him to take two tablespoons a day to keep him regular.

Another family member decided to try the apple pear sauce because she was having side effects of constipation from medication she started taking. It took 2-3 days for it to work for her but it did a great job when it kicked in.

Do on delay when you get the urge to go to the bathroom or even an inkling to "go" :)

Baking Soda

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Posted by LorenP (Henderson, Nevada USA) on 06/14/2009
 ★★★★★

For constipation and relief of muscle and knee pain, I take half a teaspoon of baking soda when I get up in the night to void. It produces results soon after getting up for the day, muscle pains are much less and after doing this for several days my knee pain is gone. There is no happiness like an empty rectum. I'm 82.

Replied by Dalo
(Las Vegas, Nv)
06/25/2010
★★★★★

Thanks Loren, it works for me too.

Replied by Dalo
(Las Vegas, Nv)
03/08/2012
★★★★★

Now I am taking 1/2 teaspoon BS and it works too.

Gord235
(Vancouver, Canada)
10/24/2021

Thanks Loren and Dalo for posting the tip about taking 1/2 tsp. of baking soda for constipation. I'm going to try taking it every night before going to bed. Will let you know how it works out.

Replied by Shirley
(Ga)
08/17/2016

How do you use the Baking Soda? Do you mix with water, and if so, how much? Thanks.

Replied by KT
(Usa)
12/05/2016

Hi Shirley,

Sorry no one responded. Try adding 1/2 tsp. BS to a 1/2 C water.

Love, KT

Blackstrap Molasses

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Posted by Fred G (Charlotte, NC) on 10/30/2007
 ★★★★★

My father is 87 and suffers from Parkinsons. He started having severe constipation problems as a result of intestinal muscles just not working. The doctors prescribed packets of chemical laxatives which marginally worked. He had to keep increasing these packets to a max of 7 packets. The expense was huge with many side-effects. On a follow up exam he asked if there was any alternative to help with the expense. The doctor recommended that he try black strap molasses. He incorporated 2 tablespoons a day and immediately was able to reduce the laxatives. Within 2 weeks and since he takes 0 laxatives and just the two tablespoons of Black Strap. He feels so much better and of course his mental state has improved greatly due to the relief that he nows has. He is not constipated at all and is just doing great. On that recommedation my elderly aunt, who has had constipation problems for years, tried the same remedy and had similar results. the doctor said he heard about this cure from his grandmother and figured it was worth a try.

Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Fred G (Charlotte, NC) on 10/30/2007
 ★★★★★

My father is 87 and suffers from Parkinsons. He started having severe constipation problems as a result of intestinal muscles just not working. The doctors prescribed packets of chemical laxatives which marginally worked. He had to keep increasing these packets to a max of 7 packets. The expense was huge with many side-effects. On a follow up exam he asked if there was any alternative to help with the expense. The doctor recommended that he try black strap molasses. He incorporated 2 tablespoons a day and immediately was able to reduce the laxatives. Within 2 weeks and since he takes 0 laxatives and just the two tablespoons of Black Strap. He feels so much better and of course his mental state has improved greatly due to the relief that he nows has. He is not constipated at all and is just doing great. On that recommedation my elderly aunt, who has had constipation problems for years, tried the same remedy and had similar results. the doctor said he heard about this cure from his grandmother and figured it was worth a try.

Cautionary Tales

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Posted by Dee (California) on 12/30/2018
 ★★★★★

Danger - do not use a small Spittoon in bed.

Dear Earth Clinic,

I just wanted to share information on safety when sleeping in a bed. I only know of 2 people that died in this situation but the deaths are horrifying! This happened to my husband's uncle:

The family had not heard from their Uncle David for a few days which was unlike him not to call a relative so a family member stopped by his house to see how David was. Uncle David did not answer the door nor did he respond to calls from the relative so the relative entered the house. He found uncle David dead on the floor of his bedroom with his head in a large coffee can and his room was totally destroyed! The police were called and at first it was thought that Uncle David had been murdered!

But that was not the case. Like many older people Uncle David would place a large coffee can next to his bed to use as a spittoon. What happened is that Uncle David leaned out of bed to spit and his body slipped down and his head went into the coffee can! Uncle David obviously could not get head out of the can and was suffocating! He destroyed his entire room trying to free his head from the can and could not get his head out and suffocated to death! I have only read of another elderly woman this happened to! She too suffocated only in her case it was a small trash can she used. Her head entered the small trash can and she could not get out of it.

As a child I still remember that my own Grandfather also used a large coffee can for a spittoon Only he (thank God) never slipped into it.

Please advise your loved ones to use a large device as a spittoon if they use one at night.

Thank you, Dee.

Replied by Mary Anne
(Marengo IL)
10/30/2024

What a sad outcome for your relative. I do not have any people in my circle that do this with the spitoon/coffee can idea. But thank you for the story & caution shared.

Fenugreek Seed Tea

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Posted by Srav (India) on 07/17/2017
 ★★★★★

A spoon or two of fenugreek seeds soaked in a glass of water (preferably over night) and consuming the water early morning on an empty stomach helps to relieve constipation.

Fenugreek is a natural laxative.

Hand Bidet

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Posted by Davidb4 (California) on 07/12/2016
 ★★★★☆

Water; as mentioned water helps with Constipation but there is another way it can help. Instead of an enema, which is uncomfortable and inconvenient water can be used from a Hand Bidet Sprayer to spray some water up inside, quickly, efficiently, comfortably and it can be used as often as needed. The water helps loosen things up to get them moving more easily and this not only helps with Constipation but also Hemorrhoids which are often caused by the straining.

Magnesium

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Posted by Anna (Dayton, OH) on 07/10/2009
 ★★★★★

I worked with a famous local herbalist and many people came in with constipation problems. My friend would have a bowel movement once a week. My other older friend would have to go to the hospital periodically because of constipation. The remedy that worked for me and both of my friends was magnesium. I take 2 magnesium (200 to 250 mg apiece)for insomnia every night. Every morning when I wake up I naturally have a bm. According to my herbalist magnesium relaxes every cell of your body and we don't get enough of it. My younger friend with constipation was tested for 12 (200mg) tabs a day till her bowels got loose enough and then she was to back down-taking less-till she found how manny worked well for her. My herbalist used to say you can't get enough magnesium-your body needs it so much. Whether that is true or not I don't know. But I do know it's the best solution for my constipation and insomnia.

Replied by Wanda
(Philadelphia, Pa)
02/27/2017

What type of magnesium?

Replied by Vibegirl
(Buffalo, Ny)
02/27/2017
14 posts

Usually Magesium Citrate - may have to play around with the dosage.

Replied by Eleanor
(Greensburg Pa)
11/17/2017

For some odd reason, magnesium binds me up!

Probiotics

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Posted by Coko (N ireland) on 01/16/2023
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Probiotic supplements are brilliant for regular bowel movements

just one every day.

Sea Salt

1 User Review
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Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Ma.usa) on 05/18/2011
 ★★★★★

I am 66 years old and I have had severe problems moving my bowels, while I was too busy working etc. I never really thought much about it, but I started having dizzy spells and bad headaches, I went to the doctor and told him I have never moved my bowels; he said thats totally impossible(?)he then said where does it go? I felt he was the doc. so I also left the answers up to him as well.

During my journey here on mother earth, I used herbal remedies which were great but after so many years they too stopped working, then I found this wonderful site where I find everything here is very informative and 100% accurate.

I recently found I had a bacterial infection, my doctor chose to put me on antibiotics/ciproflaxin to be exact;my reaction to this med. Was that it felt like some one heavy was standing or sitting on my chest, I had this severe crushing feeling and my breathing got worse. I have since tried Ted's methods of sea salt and it has done many wonders for me, it has helped with brain fog, bowel movements, as well as the bacterial infection that continues to come back during damp, cold weather also when I eat ice cream.

I love the sea salt with water and a light touch of real lemon juice and it works great for me.

I use sea salt and blackstrap molasses for my dogs as they too are constipated, and one dog the vet says has signs of cancer. No sooner did I give the dogs the sea salt they both went out side, with great results. Thank you so much Ted for making this site possible for us to share.

I am hoping my body heals with all the lack of concern I had in the past and the lack of treatments I got. I am feeling 100% better already. Much love and safety on your journey as well. Namaste.......... God bless

Replied by Lucy M.
(St. Louis)
01/16/2018

how much sea salt to how much water?


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