Constipation means having three or less than three bowel movements per week, having hard stools or incomplete bowel movements. Accumulation of stool in the large intestine for a long time makes the stool hard and dry, which passes with difficulty and requires effort to expel. Constipation is a common problem in old age. Older people are five times more prone to constipation than young people.
With age, body processes tend to slow down, a person’s mobility decreases, changes in diet occur, there is decreased appetite and decreased thirst, which can contribute to constipation. Other factors that may contribute to constipation include thickening of the colon, motility disorders, decreased strength of the abdominal muscles, decreased tone of the intestinal muscles, weakness of the sphincters and decreased strength of the pelvic floor muscles, and increased use of medications (such as antacids that calcium, diuretics, iron supplements and antihistamines) and anal stenosis. In addition to these factors, the elderly also face difficulties in eating routine meals due to dental problems. They may prefer bland processed foods with low fiber content, which can also lead to constipation. Prolonged bed rest due to some illness can lead to constipation in old people. Finally, some elderly people become dependent on laxatives for fear of constipation, and these laxatives are addictive. There comes a time when the body’s natural mechanism stops functioning without laxatives and stiff constipation occurs.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy plays a major role in controlling constipation in the elderly. Homeopathic medicines are very natural remedies that soften stools and regulate bowel movements without side effects. They strengthen the body’s own recovery mechanism and provide great relief from health problems. All associated piles, fissures, pain, burning sensation, bleeding from the anus and gas in the abdomen are also excellently controlled with homeopathic medicines. There are numerous homeopathic medicines to treat constipation in old age and the most suitable medicine among them should be selected for each individual person based on the characteristic symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended to take any homeopathic medicine under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor and avoid self-medication.
Homeopathic medicines for constipation in old age
1. Aluminum Oxide – Best Remedy
Alumina is a highly recommended drug for treating cases of constipation in old age. This medicine is especially useful if there is no urge to pass stool for many days in a row and a person misses days without passing stool. No urge to defecate occurs until there is a large accumulation of feces in the colon. The stool is passed with great effort, whether the stool is hard or soft, it is difficult to expel. In some cases, the hard stool may be covered with mucus. When passing stool, cutting pain may be felt in the anus. Sometimes bleeding from the anus may occur after passing stool.
2. Nux Vomica – For constipation with a constant urge to pass stool
Nux vomica is the most prominent medicine to control constipation with constant desire for stool. People who need this need to have bowel movements many times a day, but despite this there is a feeling as if some of the stool remains and the intestines have not yet been completely emptied. Only a small amount of stool is excreted at a time. There is never a clear sense of ‘being ready’ for those in need of Nux Vomica. The stool is hard and may be accompanied by pain in the rectum. It is also one of the best medicines for piles and constipation.
3. Bryonia – For dry, hard, lumpy stools
This medicine is very effective if the stool is dry, hard and in lumps. The stool appears dry, as if burned. Great effort is required to pass stool. There may be a feeling of bloating in the abdomen. In some cases, prolapse of the rectum occurs when passing stool.
4. Baryta Carb – With burning in anus and rectum
This medicine is useful if there is a burning sensation in the anus and rectum while passing stool. The stool is hard and comes out with great difficulty. The stool is scanty, the abdomen is swollen. In some cases, bleeding may occur during stool. In some cases, piles may be present that protrude from the anus during the passage of stool. Shooting pain is felt in piles.
5. Antimonium Crudum – For hard, difficult stools with blocked gas
This medicine works well for hard, difficult stools and gas formation in the abdomen. The stool is large and hard and pain in the abdomen occurs while passing the stool. Rectal pain may also occur when passing stool. Sometimes there is an alternation between constipation and diarrhea (loose stools).
6. Alumen – when the stool is very hard
Alumen is a suitable medicine if the stool is too hard, such as hard stone. The feces can occur in the form of a large lump or in the form of small pieces and are removed with great difficulty. The stool may be laced with blood and pain in the rectum. In some cases itching of the anus can be felt.
7. Opium – for hard stools in the form of balls
Opium is very useful when dry, hard stools are in the form of balls. The stool passes with great difficulty. There may be narrowing of the anus with obvious constipation and also difficult gas passage. In some cases, bloody mucus may come out of the anus. In most cases, there is a loss of urge to pass stool for many days.
8. Lycopodium – For constipation and excessive gas in the abdomen
This medicine is recommended for excessive gas and constipation. The stool is hard and dry, along with a narrowing of the anus that prevents the passage of stool. In some cases there may be narrowing of the rectum. Before passing the stool, pain due to gas may be felt in the abdomen. During evacuation of stool, severe pain is felt in the rectum. A burning sensation can also be felt near the anus. Headache may occur when urinating.
9. Natrum Mur – With blood and anal fissures (fissures)
This medicine can be used for hard stools with anal bleeding and cracks in the anus. In cases where this is necessary, the stool is noticeably hard and accompanied by pain. The stool may pass on another day. There is anal itching and also pain in the anus.
10. Selenium – For hard stools followed by mucus or blood discharge
Selenium is a well indicated medicine if mucus or blood passes along with the hard part of the stool. The stool is large and hard and requires great effort to be expelled. In some cases, the rectum is weak, resulting in constipation.
11. Hydrastis – For constipation with headache
The use of this medicine is considered for the treatment of constipation accompanied by headache. In cases where this is necessary, the pain is mainly felt in the forehead. The stool rarely disappears after a period of several days. Severe pain is felt in the rectum after passing stool. A person experiences sour belching and a bad taste in the mouth. This medicine also provides relief from constipation with piles. In such cases, burning and aching pain occurs during and after urination.