What is the best way to treat constipation?

Question

My child is mentally challenged and always had a problem with constipation to the point of impaction on several occasions. It was eventually resolved while in a nursing home. Now that he is at home, the meds, colace and dulcolax?, aren't working. I hate to do it, but I think I may need to resort to giving him an enema. This was always traumatic for him, but I don't know what else to do. I can't let this go on it only gets worse. What is the best enema to give and how do I do this now that he's an adult?

Answer 1

One of the biggest causes of conspitation in the mentally impaired or elderly is dehydration. They may not realize or remember to drink constantly. The feces gets stuck because there is not enough lubrication so it makes it difficult to pass the stool. Encourage him to drink a glass of water or juice at least every hour. Avoid drinks with caffeine. Grapes, raisins, prunes, flax and bran are great to add to a diet to help promote regular, soft bowel movements.

To rid the bowel movement that may be lodged inside, it is much less invasive to give a suppository (instead of an enema). This is a small pill that you insert in the anus (make SURE you lubricate your fingers and that you are gloved). The enema is more invasive and causes more discomfort. As a personal support worker in a nursing home, we always try to give suppositories before an enema.

I really don't think there is a particular enema I would recommend, they are pretty much all the same. Same goes for suppositories.

I definetely recommend increasing his fluid intake, and try hard to give flax and bran with cereal. You can even bake all sorts of goods (cookies, muffins, bread) with flax seed and bran. Best wishes!

Answer 2

so sorry he is going through all of this. it can't be fun. i had a little experience with this when i was on pain pills after my accident recently. i had to get real strict with my diet & drinking enough fluids.
i don't know about enemas...but, after you take care of that for now, here are some things i can think of that will be a dietary & lifestyle change.
the things that come to my mind for your son are:
activity...make sure he stays active, preferably outdoors or go to the park & take a nice walk regularly.
combined with this - diet...get a special diet where you choose foods high in fiber.
make sure he drinks a lot of water - at least 8 glasses of good clean filtered water throughout the day. start with a big glass in the am & even try to carry a water bottle around. maybe after he drinks the water he can have other kinds of drinks as a treat such as a soda. but most other drinks have no value...i always say god gave us water & we could not live without water. other than my one coffee drink, i only drink water. you have to have enough liquids though or you will get constipated & 'dehydrated'!
prunes have been mentioned as well as prune juice & it does work.
look up on the internet suggestions for a well balanced diet related to constipation & high fiber diet. fast food meals as an example should be a treat too as they typically of no nutritional value & need to be accounted for in your overall diet.
it is true, it is not as much fun 'watching' your foods...but, foods can be like vitamins for your health & it is a long process to convert over, but it can be done with great benefits.
plus it will help to avoid hemerroids.
you might even try stool softeners &/or fiber capsules when he takes his vitamins, preferably with a meal.
with a proper diet, you can get this under control & you / he won't be thinking about this on a daily basis.
good luck & peace!

Answer 3

The best enema is a baking soda enema. Mix baking soda in warm water in an enema bag and use this. If you think this would be too messy for you given that the child is mentally challanged then just buy a phosphate soda enema aka fleets enema and use this. Try using lots of prune juice daily or prunes if he will eat them too as these are very good for the bowels.

Answer 4

Any infant under ninety days old that has constipation, or who hasn't stool a minimum of as quickly as in step with 24 hours after day 3 desires to be considered with the aid of a doctor to rule out serious underlying issues or feeding themes.

Answer 5

Your son could have IBS or what's known as "Irritable Bowel Syndrome." He may also suffer from "Hirschsprung's Disease" which will cause bowel impaction. Nevertheless, your son needs to be seen by a Gastro doctor & soon. Have your family doctor refer you to one. In the meantime, get your son to drink as many liquids as you can. Fiber is also very important in his diet, to help him get/stay regular. (graham crackers are a great source of fiber) A small glass of cold prune juice daily will also help, as well as plenty of water daily. Laxative usage is the last resort for your son if he gets upset but if you have to use one right now, try a gentle, non cramping laxative tablet that is taken with water. All the best to your son & you. :)

Answer 6

I'm sorry that you are in this position! Before reading this I was going to suggest some prunes and a big glass of water??? this works for me and I'm sure is less invasive (If you can get him to eat them though) If this is an ongoing problem try giving him some essential fatty acids every day with his meds. they definately get the bowels moving... good luck...

Answer 7

1] give him a glass of water before every meal
2] offer prunes as part of breakfast or as snacks
3] feed fresh fruit and salad every day.
4] feed whole grain bread and cereal
5] go to the pharmacist, and ask for 'Fleets phospho-soda'.
It is a liquid you mix with water and drink.This will clean him out like a white tornado! Read directions first, and stay near a bathroom.
[ I had to use it when I was on chemo. ]

Answer 8

My daughter had the same problem. We tried doing a fleet enima that is sold at many pharmacy but, in the end it was a small amount of ivory soup mixed in warm warter that did the trick. Because Ivory is natural it had not harmful effects. It was my Pediatric doc's suggestion.

Answer 9

When I was pregnant, prune juice worked wonderfully. I drank it only when I needed it. It tastes pretty nasty so you might need to try mixing it with orange juice or something. I worked pretty quickly for me.

Answer 10

my son had constipation problems and my grandma recommend Mineral Oil. its not the best tasting stuff and he didnt like taking it but it did the trick and it is not very expensive either. good luck.