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Elderly Mom has Alternating Constipation and Diarrhea

Posted By Shelly (Boydton, Va) on 12/18/2015

My mom either has diarrhea or is constipated. Now she has swollen fingers and can't bend them without hurting. She is 86years old. Can't take Aleve. Really want a natural way to cure her. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am her daughter and caregiver.

Replied by Timh (KY) on 12/19/2015

S: Is a common occurrence with proven remedies.

A bowel cleanse is needed. Purchase and consume these natural products from local or online health-food store, as advised on labels.

1. Either "Black Walnut Complex" or "Wormwood Complex" liquid or caps.

2. Garlic Oil softgels.

3. Oregano Oil softgels.

4. Oregon Grape liquid or capsules.

5. Milled Flax Seed

6. Glutamine 500mg caps.

7. Probiotics.

Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 12/18/2015

Dear Shelly,

My heart goes out to you and your mom. My mom had the same type of thing for many years. But she was a very private person and I didn't know that until her Alzheimer's was severe and I learned it from her caregivers. Unfortunately, her digestive problems were managed very poorly. If she had diarrhea, they gave her immodium. I took that once 25 plus years ago when I had a stomach virus. Gave me awful cramping. Yes, it can stop diarrhea, but it really stops you up. So, then mom took (and was later given) stool softeners or laxatives. She was on a rollercoaster of OTC drugs that were for opposite problems and causing the problems!

At some point, an intestinal blockage was discovered. (Caused by severe constipation.) Even with blockages a person can have some diarrhea.

Anyway, I don't know if your mom is similar to my mom...but there is a bit of information.

Digestive problems have so many causes and solutions. I would encourage you to read the pages on EC on diarrhea and constipation and see what resonates with your mom's situation.

Some gentle dietary changes may be very helpful to her, though drastic changes may be unsettling to her digestion.

Slippery Elm bark is a wonderful herb for the elderly. It is so gentle and indicated for constipation and for diarrhea. A teaspoon can be mixed with water (it will swell up when mixed with water) and taken thrice daily. It can be mixed in oatmeal for breakfast, too. I add a bit of honey and cinnamon to make it taste better. It isn't bad, really, but my children think it is awful. :)

Dehydration is rampant in the elderly. Often they do not want to drink enough because getting up to use the bathroom is difficult, or they fear accidents, etc. Hydration is very important in the case of diarrhea and also a component in avoiding constipation. Dehydration also makes joint pain worse.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is a common solution for all three of your mom's issues. You might try 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of water a few times a day. That and slippery elm are the first things I would try in this situation.

A probiotic, or better yet, a bit of milk kefir daily may be very helpful to her.

How is your mom's diet? Would she be cooperative with changes?

Bless you for taking care of her! I hope you find a solution to help her. Please let me know how it goes.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Janet (Indiana) on 12/19/2015

Dear Shelly my daughter had a problem very much like this and the Dr. told me it actually was constipation. The loose stool became what seemed like leaking diarrhea that pushed passed the blockage. She had us do enemas until it loosened and pushed out. About 12 of the store bought kind and she sat in a tub of warm water between. Today after much more experience and study, I would do this much differently. A tablespoon of coconut oil in am [ can be served in a hot tea or coffee ]and magnesium oil 5 drops in a 1/2 glass water until she gets some relief. a little walking should help get things moving.

Buy magnesium flakes at the co op or on amazon. I add 70% flakes to a ball jar then 30% water let sit an hour shake occasionally or so til all flakes are dissolved ready to use put in dropper bottle. Serve as drops in a drink. When we did the DRs method what she pushed out was big and painful where as my aunt just used mag oil periodically thru the day 3x and it helped her no pain and she was 99 yrs at the time afterwards she was more flexible could touch her toes and trim her own toe nails for the first time in twenty years normal dose is 5 drops in water 2x a day. Your mom should not take calcium also as it adds to the problem and most are low on mag not calcium. Also Teds alkalyzing drinks to her daily regime will keep her colon digestion circulation tip top, either 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or 1 whole lime squeezed in glass add 1/2 tsp baking soda [or 1/4 tsp] let fizz add 1/2 glass of water drink 2x a day 1/2 hour after food. Also important to not eat table salt sodium chloride, only sea salt and no vegetable oils only butter and coconut oils and full fats as this also improves digestive health.

Janet

Replied by Jiji (Dallas) on 12/20/2015

Please give moringa powder a try along with the blackstrap molasses in warm milk morning and night. This combination is the only thing that worked fast with my mom's (she's 86) constipation. She would go up to 4-5 days without having a bowel movement and when she did have the urge, it was just so uncomfortable for her. She would sit on that toilet for almost an hour and break sweat and go so weak. Not to disgust anyone, but I had to do what I had to do to help her anyway I can...don on some gloves and scoop plenty enough vaseline and get to work manually to break up the initial hard stuff. When she's not able to have a bowel movement for days, her brain fog gets worse. Anyway, after giving her the moringa and molasses she's never had the agonizing constipation anymore and had been going to the bathroom every one to two days at the longest rather than 4-5 days.

Replied by David Stanley (San Diego) on 12/20/2015

Double Jeopardy! Few people know about this and they are really missing out! There is a very convenient and effective way to help deal with the immediate affects of diarrhea (or constipation) and that is with a Hand Bidet Sprayer. Primarily used for superior hygiene after using the toilet it can also be used to shoot some water up your own pipes, like a mini-enema, to get really clean inside and out. It's fast, efficient and 10X better than using a whole role of Toilet Paper.

Replied by Mary (Illinois ) on 12/25/2015

For an upset stomach, I would drink a shot of apple cider vinegar, for diarrhea I would drink a shot of kosher dill pickle juice, for the swelling of the hands (could be arthritis or gout) for arthritis I eat 10 cherry and juice from a cherry pie filling can 10 a day for 10 days, or a vitamin called osteo bi flex (found in most supermarkets) or for gout I would drink cherry juice.

Good luck to you

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