Constipation: proposed natural laxative mixtures

The treatment of constipation in the elderly is one of the most common problems encountered by the geriatric nurse practitioner (Aman, 1990; Brocklehurst, 1983; Shefts, 1984). Management of bowel habits with this age group is difficult, often resulting in mismanagement and the need for invasive measures, such as suppositories and enemas. Yet, it is possible bowel habits for these patients might be regulated by maintaining their dietary, dentition, and mobility requirements so that the use of invasive measures as well as associated product costs are minimized. A review of the literature revealed normal defecation ranges in frequency from three times a day to three times a week (Connel, 1965). As reported by Wright and Staats (1986), however, the "interval between bowel movements generally lengthens in debilitated older people."