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Dad’s bowel movements are difficult to manage. He goes 2-3 days without a bowel movement, then I have to give him a laxative. I feed him fruits/fiber and plenty of water. Any natural way/food/products to make him regular?
If you do a site search for constipation (using the magnifying glass beside your avatar at the top of the page) you will see this is a very popular topic, everyone has their favourite remedies but none of them are effective for every person. Beyond the more common prunes and prune juice one simple natural product that you might try is a probiotic, as well including prebiotics in his diet. First though you need to be aware that having a BM every other day or even every third day can be absolutely normal for some people, as long as his stool is not hard, dry and difficult to pass it's not a crisis.
As a retired geriatric nutrition counselor I provide my mom with 3 dried prunes daily and a piece of fresh fruit. Apple or orange. She lives in Assisted living. We keep a fresh bowl of fruit in her room. She also chooses a small bowl of bran cereal. She chooses fruit and salad when on her menus also. This works for her and she does not require meds for her bowels. I also encourage her to drink 50 oz fluid daily which she does. Dates {natural laxative} and figs add extra fiber also. It takes a while to straighten sluggish bowel function out. Senna is a stool softener and can be helpful also along with real fruit. P.S. not everyone has a daily BM… elderly do need to go at least everyone other day to avoid obstructions.
Is your dad on any medication, perhaps for pain? Constipation is often one of the side effects. Have you talked with your dad's doctor about how to manage his condition?
All of the responses I've read are good although I feel the bottom line is to Know Your Body. Medications and age play a big role in bowel movement (Iron turns my stool into rabbit size poop). Exercise if and whenever possible. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. If a person is alive, there are things that can be done-- even if bedridden) This is what work for me: 1. Crackling Oat Brand (right out of the box) as an anytime snack especially late night. 2. Apple juice 8oz (once a day) with breakfast 3. Coffee (put coffee in 8oz cup with 2% milk, add hot water). Add a little Honey and Consume while still warm. 4. Exercise (this include the mind) 5. Drink four 16oz bottles of water per day (8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm. This is where I fall short--sorry. Remember that our bodies react to what it is given --physically or mentally.
My doctor recommends one dose of Miralax daily in any favorite drink. It is tasteless and gentle and once it gets things moving, a daily dose will keep him regular. The key is REGULAR.
The miralax used daily is also what my Mom's gastroenterologist suggested after she ruled out any problem in the colon with a colonoscopy. The Doc did not like sennakot as she said it worked differently. She said it could cause the colon to become dependent on it to pass stool. Lots of fiber and lots of water. Fiber without enough water can be constipating. Prunes and warm prune juice.
Avoid the laxatives. Gut will become dependent on them. Go with natural as much as you can.
Papaya (if he will eat it) works well. Watermelon as well. Flax seed or powder in things he eats. A couple of colace per day is also helpful.
Check his meds. More than likely at least one of them causes constipation. Any kind of pain pill will slow the gut down. If he has to have them, then the colace can help offset some of that problem.
Sitting a lot and not walking slows the gut too. People that used to have a bm each and every day can start focusing in on it not being a daily thing anymore. Moving the legs and walking helps with gut movement...if he is still mobile.
We tried everything - metamucil, prescription drugs, dulcolax, miralax, etc. Then one of our Doctors recommended an "old fashion" remedy - mineral oil. FANTASTIC!! We put it in juice..it has no taste or odor. Gave it daily, Never had a problem again!
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
First though you need to be aware that having a BM every other day or even every third day can be absolutely normal for some people, as long as his stool is not hard, dry and difficult to pass it's not a crisis.
Medications and age play a big role in bowel movement (Iron turns my stool into rabbit size poop).
Exercise if and whenever possible. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. If a person is alive, there are things that can be done-- even if bedridden)
This is what work for me:
1. Crackling Oat Brand (right out of the box) as an anytime snack especially late night.
2. Apple juice 8oz (once a day) with breakfast
3. Coffee (put coffee in 8oz cup with 2% milk, add hot water). Add a little Honey and Consume while still warm.
4. Exercise (this include the mind)
5. Drink four 16oz bottles of water per day (8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm. This is where I fall short--sorry.
Remember that our bodies react to what it is given --physically or mentally.
Lots of fiber and lots of water. Fiber without enough water can be constipating. Prunes and warm prune juice.
Prunes and figs...or prune juice.
warm prune juice
Papaya (if he will eat it) works well. Watermelon as well. Flax seed or powder in things he eats. A couple of colace per day is also helpful.
Check his meds. More than likely at least one of them causes constipation. Any kind of pain pill will slow the gut down. If he has to have them, then the colace can help offset some of that problem.
Sitting a lot and not walking slows the gut too. People that used to have a bm each and every day can start focusing in on it not being a daily thing anymore. Moving the legs and walking helps with gut movement...if he is still mobile.
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