Geriatric Syndromes : Constipation.

The prevalence of constipation increases especially after 60años, and is more common in women than in men. Represents a major geriatric syndromes because of its prevalence, its serious complications and their significant impact on the quality of life of elderly. Only 5% of the elderly have fewer than three bowel movements a week.

Constipation can reach producer serious problems, among them are: fecal impaction anal fissure, circulatory disorders, fecal incontinence and urinary retention.

Additionally, this problem not only afflicts the elderly. Many people suffer from constipation mostly due to poor diet and lifestyle. In most cases, the constipation is caused by a lack of dietary fiber, vegetable, fruit etc. and inactivity and lack of exercise. For these reasons constipation, except it is caused by some gastroientestinal or nervous pathology , it's easy to put a solution changing lifestyles.

I think that nursing plays an important role in informing the public about appropriate changes to treat this condition. Although my personal experience on raising public awareness are not too positive.

When I was in the Health Center, elderly patients with diabetes or obese, were very difficult to convincing  about diet and daily exercise at least in order to have controlled their blood glucose levels and weight respectively, but it seemed that they cared enough little. Many of them put the excuse that they were too old to change his life and if they want to eat a sweet then ate it. The problem comes when the damage occurs, because they want to go to the hospital to treat them and cure their disease in two days to be home again. So we must not only inform, we have to raise the elderly that the problem of not following a proper lifestyle can cause many diseases that can leave them disabled for life.

Bibliography

• FMC. Estreñimiento en el anciano. Formación médica continuada en atención primaria. 2011 ; 18:22-42. Available from:  http://www.elsevierinstituciones.com/ei/ctl_servlet?_f=1012&id_articulo=90065700&idinst=16