Are My Bowel Movements Normal? Tips To Improve Bowel Health

Few things are more uncomfortable than managing an unpredictable bathroom schedule. While many seniors deal with irregular bathroom habits, they are not a normal part of aging. Some may even be a sign of a bowel health condition, which is why it’s essential to learn about your bowel and potential concerns that could be contributing to your unpleasant bathroom experiences. 

What Is The Bowel?

The bowel is an organ in the abdomen consisting of the small and large intestines. The small intestine connects the stomach to the large intestine, which consists of the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. The bowel is part of your digestive system that helps grab nutrients from your food and rid your body of waste. When you have a healthy bowel, you have consistent bowel movements to help you eliminate food and other waste your body doesn’t need. 

Bowel Health Concerns

Like many other parts of the body, the digestive system changes as you age. In some cases, these changes can lead to various bowel health concerns, from common gastrointestinal symptoms to more serious conditions such as bowel obstruction or cancer. 

Gastrointestinal Symptoms 

You’ve likely experienced a few gastrointestinal symptoms regardless of age or overall health. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are often not serious and will pass on their own or with the help of over-the-counter medications. A few common GI symptoms include constipation, bloating, and gas.

• Constipation is any uncomfortable or infrequent bowel movement. Typically, people who are constipated have small or hard stools and only have bowel movements three times a week. Constipation happens when the colon (in the large intestine) absorbs too much water. Causes of constipation include medications and insufficient fluids or fiber in the diet. If it happens frequently, it may also be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome.
• Bloating and gas go hand-in-hand. Bloating is a fullness or tightness of the stomach that occurs often because of too much gas in the digestive tract. Gas may get trapped in the digestive tract because of swallowing too much air (usually from eating too fast or smoking) or your body having trouble breaking down certain foods. 

While GI symptoms are common, they may also signify a more serious condition, especially if they persist or last longer than a few days. If you regularly experience GI symptoms, talk to your doctor about possible underlying causes. 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that causes various GI symptoms to occur simultaneously. These symptoms can include bloating, gas, abdomen pain, diarrhea, or constipation. It’s still unclear what causes IBS, but experts believe there’s often a poor connection between how the brain and gut interact, causing food to move too slowly or quickly through the digestive tract. 

Bowel Obstruction

A bowel obstruction is when there is a blockage in either the small or large intestine that keeps food or waste from passing. This blockage can also prevent water and gasses from moving through the digestive tract, damaging the surrounding tissue and causing severe complications. Signs and symptoms of a bowel obstruction include pain in the abdomen, bloating, nausea, lack of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, and signs of dehydration. 

Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer, is a cancer that starts in one of the intestines and often spreads to the colon and rectum. Colorectal cancer (meaning cancer starts in the colon or rectum before spreading to the small intestine) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer may include changes to your stool, bloody stool, stomach pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. 

Tips to Improve Bowel Health

While some GI symptoms are inevitable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of bowel health concerns and improve your bowel health. 

• Eat enough fiber. Fiber is a carbohydrate that helps you pass stool. You can get fiber from various produce sources such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
• Stay hydrated. Fluids, especially water, help break down food in the body so it’s easier to digest, preventing constipation. 
• Fully chew your food. A lot of bloating and gas build-up in the digestive tract happens from air intake, usually from eating too fast. Slow down and chew your food slowly to prevent inhaling extra air.
• Don’t ignore symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms indicating a bowel condition, such as constipation, diarrhea, bloody stool, or abdomen pain. The sooner you can discuss these symptoms with your doctor, the quicker you can find a solution to a healthier bowel.

Bathroom Assistance With Visiting Angels

Getting to and from the bathroom can be challenging for seniors, especially those with bowel conditions that make bathroom visits more frequent. Seniors needing extra bathroom assistance can receive personal care from our Visiting Angels’ caregivers. Caregivers will happily provide mobility assistance to the bathroom and provide dignified care to ensure clients are safe and comfortable in the bathroom.

In addition, our caregivers can assist with a variety of nonmedical tasks like light housekeeping, medication reminders, cooking, transportation, and more. If you’re a senior in Farmington, New Mexico, or the surrounding areas, contact us to learn more about our at-home care services.