Bowel Obsession in Elderly

gwenith, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2003

Yanno I must have been working in ICU to long I read the title of the post as "Bowel obstruction in the elderly" :roll

To be honest - no I have not noted this except that the previous generation as a group were more bowel obsessed than we are today. I am thinking here of the "Castor Oil" set that grew up having to take a dose of Castor oil per day - EEEEWWWWW! There is also some degree of obsession in those who, because of age, poor diet and lowered exercise suffer constipation more frequently and they can become a little obsessed with "every day in any way" however your friend sounds like he might have a psychological problem dating from childhood.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 10, 2003

I remember my grandmother, who was a nursing student during the first World War, telling me that daily BMs were necessary to get rid of the "poisons" in our systems; thus, even we Baby Boomers have received some of the same indoctrination our parents did regarding normal bowel function. In fact, the vast majority of older people were raised with the belief that one must do whatever it took to produce that daily BM, so many of them have been "hooked" on laxatives for most of their lives. Even as late as my older sister's kindergarten days, children were sometimes given cod-liver oil at school in the morning to help them avoid constipation. It's enormously difficult to undo that kind of mindset, and I've come to believe that we probably shouldn't even try.

As a new nurse, I used to try to educate my elderly patients as to the fact that it might be perfectly normal for them to have a BM only 2-3 times a week, or every other day, and that taking enemas or laxatives to force themselves to have one every day was unnatural. No one paid the slightest bit of attention, because that's how deeply ingrained this particular notion is, and who was I to deny somebody's granny or grandpa their "physic" anyway? Besides, I have to admit.....if I go more than a day without a--ahem--constitutional, I feel like I'M constipated! :eek:

So, don't be too harsh on the little old gents and ladies for being "bowel-obsessed"......it's just the way they were brought up.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 10, 2003

The subject of this thread hit home because one of Grandma's favorite topics is bowels. Reminds me of that lady from the Phillips MOM commercials. In public, people all around, it don't matter lol.

bellehill, RN · Feb 25, 2004

I used to have a pt that would have a bowel movement for every shift because he continually denied having one earlier. Sometimes I think it is the only thing left they can control and maybe that is why they "obsess" over it. Lucky us!

bellehill, RN · Feb 25, 2004

Sorry...double post! :rolleyes:

BRANDY LPN · Feb 26, 2004

I have seen this so many times in LTC that it is more the "norm" than not, my own grandmother uses metamucil, laxatives, and then fleets all the time, I have wonder if in addition to the "training" the elderly have received if the use of narcotics ( for some ) doesn't also play a role.

Once heard a doc say you should only douch as often as you give yourself an enema, LOL had immediate mental picture of my grandmother with shopping cart heaped with fleets and summer's eve. ( sorry had to share that) I hope he doesnt tell his elderly pts that one LOL

Loribabble · Feb 26, 2004

This is toooo funny... I too have dealt with many an elderly person who complains about being constipated... so you start all the normal "bowel protocol" stuff - only to have them go once (formed) and have them start complaining of diarrhea - you can't win!

My favorite story though is my best friends grandmother actually keeps a "BM Diary" - she never leaves home without it. In it she keeps tract of the dates, times, amt, color and consistancy - she has been doing this for YEARS! :eek: