Constipation

Constipation refers to the decrease in the frequency of bowel movements, while the difficulty in defecation and dry stool Normal people defecate 1 to 2 times a day or 1 to 2 days. Patients with constipation have less than 3 bowel movements per week and have laborious bowel movements, hard stools, and a small amount of stool.

1. Age-related

The prevalence of constipation in the elderly is significantly higher than that of young adults, mainly due to the fact that with the increase of age, the food intake and physical activity of the elderly are significantly reduced, the secretion of digestive juice in the gastrointestinal tract is reduced, the tension and peristalsis of the intestine are weakened, the abdominal cavity and pelvic floor Muscle weakness weakened internal and external sphincter muscles, weakened gastro-colon reflex, decreased rectal sensitivity, so that food stays in the intestines for too long, and excessive water absorption can cause constipation. In addition, the elderly often lose their bowel reflex due to senile dementia or depression, causing constipation.

2. Bad habits

(1) Dietary factors Elderly people lose teeth, prefer to eat low-residue and fine food, or a few patients are convenient and trouble-free. Simple diet, lack of crude fiber, reduces stool volume, increases viscosity, slow down movement in the intestines, and hydrates. Constipation due to excessive absorption.

(2) Defecation habits Some elderly people do not develop the habit of regular defecation, and often ignore the normal intention to defecate, which causes the defecation reflex to be inhibited and causes constipation.

(3) Reduced activity. The elderly have reduced activity due to certain diseases and obesity factors, especially those who are bedridden or in a wheelchair due to illness, because of the lack of exercise stimulation to promote the movement of feces, they are often prone to constipation.

3. Mental and psychological factors

People suffering from depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other psychological disorders are prone to constipation.

4. Intestinal disease

Intestinal lesions include inflammatory bowel disease, tumors, hernias, rectal prolapse, etc. Such lesions lead to functional outlet obstruction and defecation disorders.

5. Systemic lesions

Systemic diseases include diabetes, uremia, cerebrovascular accident, Parkinson's disease and so on.

6. Iatrogenic (abuse of laxatives)

Long-term use of laxatives, especially irritant laxatives, causes damage to the intestinal mucosal nerves, reduces intestinal muscle tension, and causes severe constipation. In addition, other drugs that cause constipation include opioid analgesics, anticholinergics, antidepressants, calcium antagonists, diuretics, etc.

Reference:

Zhang Xu, Pan Renzhi, Zhang Xiaoling, etc. Investigation on the ecological distribution of intestinal flora in the non-constipated and constipated elderly in Nanjing. "WanFang", 2004

Xin Haiwei. Functional constipation and constipation-type irritable bowel syndrome-can we distinguish it?. "VIP", 2013

Luo Bin. Professor Wang Qi's ideas and experience in the treatment of constipation. "Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine", 2000

Chen Ping, Zhou Jun, Zhang Qing, Chu Lingling. Clinical efficacy of moxibustion for constipation in the prevention and treatment of constipation in cancer chemotherapy patients. "Western China Medicine", 2010

Luo Bin. Professor Wang Qi's thoughts and experience in the treatment of constipation. "Journal of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine", 2000

便秘

便秘是指排便次数减少，同时排便困难、粪便干结。正常人每日排便1～2次或1～2日排便1次，便秘患者每周排便少于3次，并且排便费力，粪质硬结、量少。