Question

information about geriatric problems with bowel elimination, urinary incontinence, and dehydration.

Answer 1

With older age, many functions of our body declines. This results in many health conditions and illnesses. Problems with bowel elimination, urinary incontinence, and dehydration are very common among older population which significantly effect their quality of life. Constipation is one of the most common factor for difficulty in bowel elimination in older people. This is because with older age, there is a significant decline in the mobility (also lack of exercise) as well as proper dietary habits. With age the level of fluid in the body also goes down which add further problem with bowel movement. In addition to these, most of the older population are heavily dependent on different medication for other body functions which is responsible for 40% of total chronic consitipation. Conditions like anal fissure, bowel obstruction and muscle or nerve damage that comes with age also causes problem problems with bowel elimination in elders.

We know that water is very important for proper functioning of our body. With age the total fluid intake of the body declines. Infact conditions like diarrhea, diabetes as well as excessesive use of water pills further makes the older people more susceptible to dehydration.

As I mentioned before that with age our muscles becomes weaker and even damaged. The bladder and the whole pelvic floor muscles becomes weaker and are not able to function properly. When the bladder and these muscles are not functioning normally, they cause urinary incontinence or urine leakage. Conditions like arthritis and spinal cord problems also attract this type of problem in elders. In fact, problem with bowel function, dehydration and urinary incontinence are all interconnected. Reduced fluid intake cause dehydration reacting to which our body absorbs more water from the stool to compensate the imbalance. Due to reduced function of bladder, there is leakage of this fluid but at the same time due to inadequate fluid in the colon, the stool becomes hard and difficult to pass.

To prevent these kinds of problems in the elderly population, they should be educated to take plenty of water irrespective of whether they are feeling thirsty or not. Limited amount of regular exercise helps significantly in avoiding bowel problems. Fiber is a very important element that helps in healthy bowel elimination and hence must be included in the diet.