The major risk factors for constipation in the elderly are the same as in younger people: low-fiber diet and low fluid intake. Other risk factors include lack of exercise, drug therapy, depression, and dementia (possibly because the patient ignores the urge to defecate), diabetes (probably because of autonomic neuropathy), stroke, metabolic imbalances (hypokalemia, hypercalcemia), and [...]
The effects of colorectal cancer can be markedly reduced with the simple step of regular screening. The screening regimen recommended by the American Cancer Society includes an annual fecal occult blood test and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 3 to 5 years for all persons over the age of 50. Those individuals at high risk because [...]