constipation elderly

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Stercoral colitis (SC) is a rare but potentially life-threatening inflammatory colitis caused by the accumulation of impacted fecal material. Despite reported associations with bowel perforation and high mortality rates, stercoral colitis remains a poorly defined and underrecognized diagnosis in the emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to summarize and synthesize existing literature on SC to guide its recognition and management in the ED...

There are multiple atypical manifestations of Crohn's disease, which sometimes delay diagnosis or even more often result in complete misdiagnosis, especially in poorly equipped facilities. This is the case of an elderly woman with Crohn's disease who presented with gastritis and bowel obstruction. She had hitherto been wrongly managed for peptic ulcer disease and functional constipation based mainly on her symptoms. Her diagnosis was made only after years of failed symptomatic management. This case aims to highlight the uncommon and easily misdiagnosed gastroduodenal presentation of Crohn's disease, as well as clinical clues to correctly diagnosing the condition...

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is a peculiar phenomenon and corresponds to the appearance of purplish-colored urine. It is associated with urinary tract infections occurring mainly in debilitated elderly women with constipation and long-term indwelling urinary catheters. We share a case involving PUBS in an 87-year-old female patient, explore the pathophysiology, and discuss potential management options for this uncommon syndrome.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: There is growing consensus on the benefits of initiating palliative care early in the disease trajectory; however, palliative care needs for non-cancer patients remain to be elucidated. We investigated the trajectory of unresolved palliative care needs of non-cancer patients at home and explored associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of elderly non-cancer patients at home in Japan between Jan 2020 and Dec 2020...

AIM: To clarify the association between constipation, diarrhea, and long-term laxative use in Japanese nursing home residents. METHODS: Data from 306 residents with chronic constipation aged over 75 years for basic characteristics, medication use, activities of daily living, and concurrent illness were collected via two consecutive 6-monthly surveys conducted using the Japanese interRAI assessment tool. We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to examine the associations between chronic constipation, diarrhea, and continuous laxative use...

OBJECTIVE: To explore the combined efficacy of modified Yangxin Anshen decoction and Western medicine treatment in elderly patients with schizophrenia and sleep disorders. METHODS: A total of 144 elderly patients with schizophrenia and sleep disorders in Wuhan Wudong Hospital were enrolled as participants in this study from April 2021 to April 2022. The participants were randomly and equally divided into a control group (receiving conventional Western medicine treatment) and two study groups: study group 1 received modified Yangxin Anshen decoction, and study group 2 receive modified Yangxin Anshen decoction in addition to Western medicine treatment...

Complex microbial ecosystems in both gastrointestinal and respiratory systems have been found to have a significant impact on human health. Growing evidence has demonstrated that intestinal dysbiosis can increase vulnerability to pulmonary infections. However, changes in the composition and activity of the intestinal flora after probiotic supplementation may alter the disease state of the host. The effects of probiotics on the improvement of diseases, such as severe pneumonia (SP), in intensive care units (ICUs) remain controversial...

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: Lymphadenopathy following recent immunization is usually regional. Generalized lymphadenopathy should arouse suspicion for alternative underlying pathology. Prostate adenocarcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for malignancy in an elderly male patient. Metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma can have good prognostic outcomes if treatment is started promptly, even in the setting of widespread disease. ABSTRACT: Generalized lymphadenopathy is commonly attributed to infectious causes or malignancy, often lymphoproliferative disorders...

BACKGROUND: Probiotics may be an effective alternative to traditional drug therapy for constipation in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of probiotics in managing constipation among the elderly. METHODS: Eight databases were queried for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating probiotics' efficacy in addressing constipation among the elderly until January 2023. The meta-analysis was conducted employing R software version 4...

Elderly individuals require special dietary considerations due to various physiological dysfunctions (such as dysphagia, constipation, etc.) and specific nutritional needs. Dysphagia, the difficulty associated with swallowing can lead to some challenges in containing and transitioning of food or liquids within the mouth, increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Thickening fluid is an effective method for alleviating swallowing difficulties. It works by slowing down the flow of liquids during swallowing, thus reducing the risk of aspiration into the airway...

Japan is becoming a superaged society, and nutrition therapy for the elderly population is very important. Elderly individuals often have multiple diseases and are prone to malnutrition. Furthermore, functional constipation, diarrhoea, faecal incontinence, etc., may occur despite no organic abnormality of digestive tract function. Due to these disabilities, the resulting malnutrition, and the slow recovery, it is often difficult for elderly individuals to reintegrate into society. Secondary or incorrect nutritional management increases complications, decreases physical function and worsens the prognosis...

Background Older adults commonly experience both sleep disturbances and constipation. Pathophysiological mechanisms such as inhibition of colonic peristalsis due to sympathetic activation associated with sleep disturbances have been postulated. Here, we aimed to assess the temporal association between the degree of sleep quality and the incidence of constipation. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of independent community-dwelling older adults aged ≥75 years (the Sukagawa Study). Using a self-administered questionnaire inquiring about awareness of own constipation or the use of laxatives in 2019 and 2020, we determined the onset of constipation...

We report a case of Enterococcus -associated pyelonephritis in a 74-year-old Parkinson's patient. He showed constipation, a mild fever, and altered consciousness. Blood cultures revealed Gram-positive cocci (GPC), prompting vancomycin treatment. Urinary Gram staining confirmed pyelonephritis, underscoring its diagnostic utility in elderly patients with vague symptoms. Enterococcus faecalis infections can be insidious, with the potential for organ abscesses and persistent fever. Due to nuanced presentations of Gram-positive infections versus Gram-negative ones, diagnosis can be delayed, risking sepsis...

INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy, which uses multiple medications to treat chronic illnesses, is common among elderly patients. However, it can lead to drug interactions, especially with gastrointestinal (GI) medicines that are extensively used. These drug interactions can have severe consequences and pose a significant challenge to healthcare providers. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the underlying mechanisms of these interactions and develop strategies to minimize medication errors...

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Gallstone ileus is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the obstruction of the small intestine due to a gallstone. It occurs as a complication of gallstone disease, where a large gallstone erodes through the gallbladder into the gastrointestinal tract, creating a fistula. CASE PRESENTATION: A type 2 diabetic woman in her 50s presented to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting...

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), or Ogilvie's syndrome, is an acute colonic dilatation without mechanical obstruction; it is most commonly seen in severely ill or postoperative patients. While this syndrome has no clear pathophysiology, it is diagnosed when the cecum and right colon expand without physical obstruction. This condition can lead to perforation and intestinal ischemia. Ogilvie's syndrome is associated with a relatively high morbidity and mortality rate. The diagnosis of ACPO can be often missed due to its vague symptoms such as bloating, abdominal distention, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and severe constipation...

Pain regimens, particularly for chronic cancer and noncancer pain, must balance the important analgesic benefits against potential risks. Many effective and frequently used pain control regimens are associated with iatrogenic adverse events. Interventional procedures can be associated with nerve injuries, vascular injuries, trauma to the spinal cord, and epidural abscesses. Although rare, these adverse events are potentially catastrophic. Pharmacologic remedies for pain must also consider potential side effects that can occur even at therapeutic doses of over-the-counter remedies such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs...

A fecaloma is a rare complication of chronic constipation that is more commonly seen in elderly individuals with chronic neuropsychiatric disorders. We present the case of a 79-year-old patient with Parkinson's disease with refractory constipation due to a large fecaloma mass in the sigmoid colon, which is a rare sequela of poorly managed chronic constipation. The current report highlights the importance of aggressive medical therapy for chronic constipation in this group of patients to prevent life-threatening complications...

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients have a high risk of developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation, in the elderly population may be involved in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders by promoting inflammatory responses due to a 'leaky gut'. General anesthetic sevoflurane may impair gastrointestinal function in elderly patients to trigger neurological complications following surgery. Therefore, we hypothesized that elderly individuals with gastrointestinal dysfunction may be more vulnerable to sevoflurane and consequently develop POCD...