IвЂ™ll end with a summary of key take-home points, to summarize what you should know if youвЂ™re concerned about constipation for yourself or another older person.

My approach to constipation in my older patients.

3 types of over-the-counter laxative that work (and one type that doesnвЂ™t).

The laxative myth you shouldnвЂ™t believe.

How constipation should be evaluated, and treated.

Medications that can cause or worsen constipation.

Common causes of constipation in older adults.

Common signs and symptoms of constipation.

This way, youвЂ™ll be better equipped to get help from your health providers, and if it seems advisable, choose among OTC laxative options. In short, if youвЂ™re an older adult, or if youвЂ™re helping an older loved one with health issues, itвЂ™s worthwhile to learn the basics of how constipation should be evaluated and managed. Although several useful laxatives are indeed available over-the-counter (OTC), IвЂ™ve found that the average person doesnвЂ™t know enough to correctly choose among them.ДЄlso, although in geriatrics we often do end up recommending or prescribing laxatives, itвЂ™s vital to start by figuring out what is likely to be causing - or worsening - an older personвЂ™s constipation.ДЇor instance, many medications can make constipation worse, so we usually make an attempt to identify and perhaps deprescribe those.

Personally, I donвЂ™t like this hands-off approach to constipation. Also, since many laxatives are available over-the-counter, some providers may assume that people will treat themselves if necessary.

They are often focused on more вЂњseriousвЂќ health issues. The trouble is that constipation is often either overlooked or sub-optimally managed by busy healthcare providers who arenвЂ™t trained in geriatrics. This helps maintain well-being and quality of life, and can also improve difficult behaviors related to dementia. Avoidance of needed pain medication, due to fear of constipationДЇortunately, itвЂ™s usually possible to help older adults effectively manage and prevent constipation.Fecal incontinence, which can be caused or worsened by having a hard lump of stool lodged in the lower bowel.Stress and/or pain that can contribute to delirium (a state of new or worse confusion that often happens when older adults are hospitalized).Increased irritability, agitation, or even aggression, in people with AlzheimerвЂ™s disease or other forms of dementia.Hemorrhoids, which can bleed or be painful.Severe abdominal pain, which can lead to emergency room visits.Constipation is not a glamorous topic, but itвЂ™s certainly important, especially in older adults.ДЄs anyone who has experienced occasional - or even chronic - constipation can tell you, it can really put a damper on quality of life and well-being.Д¬onstipation can also cause more substantial problems, such as:

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