A side note that I learned... If you are giving liquids that are thickened you can not add Benefiber with it. The Benefiber will thin out anything that has been thickened so add the Benefiber to an already thick soup, hot cereal or pureed food.
Constipation is common among old people. The reason is that all physiological functions slow down with age. A constipation that lasts more than a week, or one that is accompanied by abdominal colics or vomiting, could indicate bowel obstruction and the patient would require immediate medical attention. If the constipation produces no symptoms and it has lasted only a few days, it may respond to home laxatives like milk of magnesia or prune juice. As preventive measures, the patient should drink an adequate amount of liquids every day. He/she should include fiber-containing foods in the diet. Metamucil is a well-known fiber supplement too.
On a regular basis, increase fluids (including solid foods with high water volume): - grapes - watermelon - oranges, grapefruits - cucumbers - celery - jello - soups
Use a stool softener regularly, NOT a laxative.
Add in Citrucel (NOT Metamucil as it is composed of ingredients that cause more gas).
Increase exercise (even just walking around a little more).
Pain meds can greatly increase constipation, so if she's taking anything, even OTC, this will definitely increase the problem (Tylenol, Advil, Excedrin, Oxy, etc).
There is a tea, it is Senna based. The tea is Smooth Move. Senna is also a product you can buy OTC
I had some luck with Benefiber for my Husband I gave that to him daily
The Hospice team suggested what they called "the bomb" a mixture of 1/4 Cup prune juice, 1/4 Cup Milk of Magnesia and 1/4 Cup orange juice warm this mixture up to about body temp. Worked pretty well.
I also gave my husband prunes every morning until that was not safe then I gave him prune juice.
I pureed a combination of papaya and pineapple and froze it in 1/2 cup portions. It is high fiber and many OTC "cleanse products" contain these 2 ingredients.
Milk of Magnesia
A bottle of Magnesium citrate will work. But check with the doctor first it can be hard on the kidneys.
Suppository Enema
And sometimes it takes a gloved hand to get things going.
If you are giving liquids that are thickened you can not add Benefiber with it. The Benefiber will thin out anything that has been thickened so add the Benefiber to an already thick soup, hot cereal or pureed food.
- grapes
- watermelon
- oranges, grapefruits
- cucumbers
- celery
- jello
- soups
Use a stool softener regularly, NOT a laxative.
Add in Citrucel (NOT Metamucil as it is composed of ingredients that cause more gas).
Increase exercise (even just walking around a little more).
Pain meds can greatly increase constipation, so if she's taking anything, even OTC, this will definitely increase the problem (Tylenol, Advil, Excedrin, Oxy, etc).
Senna is also a product you can buy OTC
I had some luck with Benefiber for my Husband I gave that to him daily
The Hospice team suggested what they called "the bomb" a mixture of 1/4 Cup prune juice, 1/4 Cup Milk of Magnesia and 1/4 Cup orange juice warm this mixture up to about body temp. Worked pretty well.
I also gave my husband prunes every morning until that was not safe then I gave him prune juice.
I pureed a combination of papaya and pineapple and froze it in 1/2 cup portions. It is high fiber and many OTC "cleanse products" contain these 2 ingredients.
Milk of Magnesia
A bottle of Magnesium citrate will work. But check with the doctor first it can be hard on the kidneys.
Suppository
Enema
And sometimes it takes a gloved hand to get things going.
https://www.agingcare.com/topics/99/constipation