The influence of age on the development of constipation
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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With each new lived year the probability of constipation is growing. About 20-25% of men and women in old age suffer from this ailment. Therefore, the influence of age on the human body as a whole is simply enormous. What is the effect of age on the development of constipation?
Old age is not fun
Aging is a very long and complex process. It is associated with a change in the structure of many tissues and organs, in the course of aging all the functions of the body gradually "fade away." In the process of aging, the skin becomes dry and saggy, the working capacity of the body decreases, eyesight loses its sharpness, memory becomes no longer so good, various chronic diseases begin to disturb people more often, there are problems with the heart and respiratory system.
This is all the changes in the body associated with aging, do not end there. So, with the years the organs of the gastrointestinal tract begin to malfunction and the harmonious work of this system is disrupted.
Changes in the structure of the intestine appear with age
With age, the human intestine lengthens and changes its shape (there are so called protrusions of the intestinal wall) - diverticula are formed, which are divided into false and true. With true diverticula, the intestinal walls become only slightly swollen, and the intestinal membrane does not change its structure. False diverticula are the hernial formations that grow through the thin walls of the intestine.
Often, diverticula form in the sigmoid colon. Such changes in the structure of the intestine greatly hamper the progress of its contents, and the contraction of the muscular shell brings ever less and less result. As a result, fecal masses are collected in the enlarged part of the intestine, thus bringing painful sensations to the patient.
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]
Effect of age on bowel stool
In people of age, a mesentery can extend, which brings nerves and vessels to the intestines. Thus, the blood supply to the intestine is impaired, its tone is weakened and the stool masses stop moving. Another reason for the development of constipation in people aged - is muscle atrophy or physical inactivity.
Muscles of the abdominal wall can not forcefully affect the intestines, which slows down the movement of its contents and constitutes constipation. In old people, due to poor teeth quality and lack of appetite, the diet consists exclusively of monotonous products, not rich in dietary fiber - activators of the intestine.