How Growing Older Effects Constipation
About 2.5 million of visits to the doctor every year are for treating constipation of older people and that the number of people suffering from constipation increases with age. Women, blacks, and people in lower socio-economic levels as well as those living in rural areas and in the Northern states are also more likely to suffer from constipation.
Although constipation is not a direct consequence of aging, it is often a refractory result of the normal things that are associated with age. Older people tend to be more sedentary and get less exercise thereby making them more prone to constipation problems. Also, medical treatments that are usually taken by older adults may cause constipation as a side effect. The bowel muscles also weaken as a person ages which makes it more difficult and less effective to move waste.
With over 30% of constipated patients being over 65 years of age, treating constipation is one of the frequent and sometimes major problems among the elderly.
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