Senior Care Tips: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms and Treatments
Senior Care Darby PA
Although people of different ages may have to deal with the uncomfortable symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, it is actually very common among seniors. This condition occurs in the gut and causes problems with the digestion and elimination of food. Doctors are sometimes quick to diagnose a person with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when there is no detection of another disease that affects the bowels. However if your senior parent is experiencing the following symptoms, you should call the doctor as soon as possible to get a proper diagnoses.
Symptoms
The symptoms will not be the same for every IBS victim, but the following ones commonly affect most people with this condition.
- Mucus in the stool
- Increased belching or gas
- Bloating
- Loud and constant sounds in the abdomen
- Distention in the abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Feelings of incomplete bowel movements
- Abnormalities in the appearance of the stool
Getting Tested
A series of questions can often give the doctor an idea that the senior is suffering from IBS. They may ask you or for a comprehensive history and background into the elder’s health. If your loved one receives senior care, the doctor may also ask the in-home care provider what bowel patterns they have noticed and what issues the senior has complained about. One test that can be done to get a more precise diagnoses is a blood test. X-rays and endoscopies may also be used to determine the cause of your loved one’s abnormal bowel activities.
Treatments
Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate or lessen the symptoms of IBS in elders. In some cases, this condition is caused by increased amounts of stress and can quickly be eliminated by learning to manage their stress. The caregiver may be needed to help reduce their stress by taking some of their daily tasks off of their shoulders, such as handling the elder’s finances, paying their bills, or helping with chores. The elder may also be experiencing a sensitivity to certain foods, which should be avoided once it has been determined which ones are causing discomfort in your loved one’s stomach. The doctor may also decide to prescribe medications to help with the symptoms, such as tranquilizers, antispasmodics, or antidepressants.
Prevention
Elders can prevent IBS by following these tips:
- Avoid excessive amounts of constipating foods, such as cheese
- Do not smoke or use sorbitol
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of one big one
- Avoid caffeine or other dietary supplements
- Eat less chocolate
- Exercise more
- Reduce the amount of foods that irritate the stomach, such as foods that are spicy or fried
- Consume more fiber
- If necessary, take laxatives if prescribed by the doctor
Irritable bowel syndrome can be an extremely uncomfortable condition, but with this information, your loved one should be able to better manage their symptoms.
Find out if your loved one suffers from IBS with this information.
Source Life Ledgar. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” Senior Health 365. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the Elderly.”
If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home Senior Care in Darby PA, please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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