Why are old people constipated?

Question

Is there some bodily function that shuts down in old age because old people seem to always be talking about bowel movements and taking Metamucil. Is there anything we can do at an earlier life stage to help with this trouble?? I don't want to be discussing my bowel movements when I'm 80. :)

Answer 1

when you are older you move around less you eat less and you may take a lot of medications that may make you constipated. if you take care of yourself get excercise and eat a well balanced diet with fiber fruits and vegitables you will be fine but everybody young and old get constipated sometimes

Answer 2

Let me see how I can explain this,when your young the large intestine moves the waste right along, it expands and pushs, expands and pushs but when you get older this process slows down a whole lot, and thats what makes the bowel movements hard. This is really hard to explain with no hand movement to show you what the large intestine actually does but I hope you understand this answer. Sorry I couldnt do a better job.

Answer 3

Because of decrease in mobility/activity, and decrease in the movment through GI tract. A lot of things slow down. There are many people who become bowel obsessed, especially as they age.

Answer 4

when you reach old age your system changes - you do not get the exercise you use to nor do you ear the same -hence your system changes as well as your bathroom habitsl
Many older people have to rely on medications to help this problem.
Older people have to urinate more often as well-again this is the system change that comes with age

Answer 5

Eat a lot of Fiber!

Answer 6

Because when you reach that age, you just don't give a sh**.

Answer 7

thats all they have to talk about, sad but true