Chronic Constipation After 60: Why It Gets Worse With Age and What Actually Works

Days without relief don't just take a toll on the body, but also on the mind. They come with discomfort that starts and ends each day.

People with chronic constipation spend longer in the toilet, often leaving with the feeling that they are unfinished. They skip a walk because of the bloating, stop enjoying meals, and sadly accept constipation as part of getting older.

Most people attribute chronic constipation after 60 as an inevitable sign of getting older. But this isn't true when taking into consideration the digestive system which slows with age, medications that may silently alter bowel movements, and lifestyle factors. These are everyday unnoticed habits that shift over the years which contribute to the issue.

This is why chronic constipation is not simply a matter of finding a stronger laxative. It requires an understanding of the causative factors and having the ability to support the gut in functioning properly. It is about the construction of daily habits that facilitate the regular occurrence of bowel movements and achieving relief that lasts rather than short-term solutions to the problem.

Most older adults suffering from chronic constipation find improvement with a diet and lifestyle modification that includes increased fluid intake, exercise, better toilet posture, and treatment. The first step is not a guess. It is a matter of understanding why it happens.

Whether you are dealing with chronic constipation yourself or you're an aging parent who needs to be assisted with it, this guide explains the reasons behind constipation becoming more common after the age of sixty, what the actual causes are, and the strategies proven with research that will help you feel lighter, more comfortable and more in control each day.

Why Is Constipation More Common in the Elderly?

Your digestive system slows down as you grow older, which is primarily caused by natural aging. The muscles that contract and propel food through the intestines weaken, which causes stool to remain in the colon for more time. As a result, the body absorbs more water from the stool, and the stool becomes harder and more difficult to pass.

There are a plethora of other factors that contribute to this condition. A significant number of elderly people take medications for blood pressure, pain, depression, and other chronic illnesses, and a long list of these typical medications cause bowel movements to happen more infrequently as a side effect. Reduced mobility greatly adds to this as well. Physical activity helps stimulate the intestines, and as a result, a less active day strongly contributes to how infrequently and how easily you have bowel movements.

Diet also plays a huge role. As people age, their appetite tends to decline, leading to reduced consumption of dietary fiber, and not enough water intake as well. Many elderly people drink less water due to habit, and to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom. If mobility or incontinence issues arise, the urge to use the bathroom can make it stressful.

Weaker pelvic floor muscles along with decreased nerve sensitivity around the rectum affect the perception of the need to defecate and diminishes the efficacy with which one can expel stool. Together, these changes explain the frequency and persistence of constipation after the age of sixty, rather than being an inevitable part of ageing.

What You Can Do About It

Constipation is mainly managed through diet. This means that the inclusion of more dietary fiber is essential, through the consumption of vegetables, fruits with skin, whole grains, and legumes. Fiber should be consumed gradually as a sudden increase can contribute to bloating or gas. This should be accompanied by the consumption of sufficient fluid intake, as this is essential to ensure that the fiber is functioning appropriately within the digestive tract.

Movement has a direct effect in this regard. A daily short walk will aid in the stimulation of the intestines and will contribute to the functional regularity of bowel movements. Light activity such as stretching or even a household chore will provide assistance to individuals who may be struggling with the ability to walk a distance (e.g. post-operative patients).

Establish a consistent time each day that you will attempt to use the bathroom so as to create a routine. It is ideal to do this after eating as this will trigger the natural reflex that mobilizes the bowels. If the urge to defecate occurs do not ignore it. Regularly postponing a bowel movement will train the body to suppress defecation, which will increase the severity of constipation.

If you suspect that any of your medications are impacting your bowel movements you should discuss this with your physician. Do not make changes to prescriptions without the doctor's knowledge. They will be able to provide other suggestions or supportive measures if necessary.

When dietary and lifestyle changes alone are not helping, targeted assistance can aid in resetting the digestive system. The AGEasy Consti Calm product is designed for prebiotic fibers and combines them with a clinically proven fruit extract and herbals specifically for use with aging digestive systems and not for general use. It is designed for long-term gentle use to aid gut function rather than provide a quick one-off solution. For those experiencing bloating along with the irregularity, AGEasy Bloat Calm is quite helpful. And the AGEasy Gut Balance provides overall restorative support to the digestive tract for those managing several gut issues all together.

Blood Pressure Monitoring and General Health in Conjunction with Gut Care

Chronic constipation almost never happens alone. It frequently co-exists with other age-related health issues, such as high blood pressure, as straining during a bowel movement may temporarily elevate blood pressure, causing discomfort for people who have hypertension. Using a home monitoring device such as the AGEasy Digital BP Monitor allows you and your doctor to track the full scope during checkups, especially when you are changing your diet, medication, or supplements.

When to Consult a Physician

Constipation can happen from time to time and usually changes to your diet and your daily routine will help it resolve quickly. However, if constipation does not go away after three weeks, you should see your doctor, especially if you see blood in your stool, you have sudden weight loss, you have severe pain in your abdomen, or if you have a sudden change in how frequently you go to the bathroom without having a clear reason. These symptoms require an evaluation by a doctor.

After 60, a person can experience chronic constipation for a variety of treatable and identifiable reasons that may be alleviated through a combination of diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and other forms of assistance. Because of the health conditions, prescriptions, and overall wellbeing as you age, it is important to talk to your doctor about any new treatments or supplements.