Treatment of constipation

Treatment of constipation

Non-pharmacological treatment is preferred to relieve constipation in the elderly. An increased dietary fibre intake in combination with increased fluid intake can lead to improvement in patients without a recognizable cause of their constipation. However, patients with slow transit or anorectal disorder usually respond poorly to increased fibre intake. Other dietary measures such as coffee, prunes, and water intake before breakfast can also help. The elderly should also be advised to increase their mobility.

For the treatment of chronic constipation, treatment of choice consists of laxatives and non-surgical measures. The following laxatives can be applied:

 

 

Drugs having constipation as side-effect can be substituted with other drugs:

 

 

1

Tricyclic antidepressants cause constipation mainly via a