Beverley L, Travis I
J Gerontol Nurs. 1992 Oct;18(10):5-12. doi: 10.3928/0098-9134-19921001-03.
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."
老年人便秘的治疗是老年护理从业者遇到的最常见问题之一（阿曼，1990年；布罗克赫斯特，1983年；谢夫茨，1984年）。管理这个年龄段人群的排便习惯很困难，常常导致管理不当，进而需要采取栓剂和灌肠等侵入性措施。然而，通过满足这些患者的饮食、牙齿状况和活动需求来调节他们的排便习惯是有可能的，这样可以尽量减少侵入性措施的使用以及相关产品成本。文献综述显示，正常排便频率范围为每天三次到每周三次（康奈尔，1965年）。然而，正如赖特和施塔茨（1986年）所报道的，“体弱的老年人排便间隔通常会延长”。
