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Ageing: What to expect
What happens to your body as you age ?
Tips and tricks to get relief

Ageing: What to expect

Everybody ages and with age, comes new opportunities and challenges. We all know that as we get older, we may have more gray hairs and wrinkles, but did you know that getting older can also affect your digestive health ? Constipation increases as people age, especially after the age of 65.  

Contributing factors of constipation in elderly patients may include inactivity, inappropriate diet, certain medications, and disorders which affect the nerves responsible for stimulating the bowel muscles. 

Your body is changing

As we get older, the time it takes to get relief increases as the bowel needs more time to move food through the digestive system, which can trigger constipation.

Taking medication

Medication usage is common amongst seniors and some of these medications can cause constipation as a side effect. If you’re experiencing constipation due to your medication, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

You should never change or stop prescribed medications without talking it through with a healthcare professional first.

New lifestyle habits

“Aging” and “regular exercise routine” don’t often go hand in hand. As we get older, we tend to exercise less and our dietary habits change. These changes can have an impact on our digestive system, leading to occasional constipation.

What happens to your body as you age ?

There are a number of changes that are to be expected as you continue aging. As you get older, you can expect changes to your cardiovascular system, your bones, joints, muscles, bladder and to your digestive system. Age-related structural changes in the large intestine can also contribute to the higher rate of constipation in the elderly. To help prevent constipation, there are a few things you can do: 

Changing body

Your digestive system is a series of muscles that need to contract to process and move food through your stomach and intestines. This process slows down as you age, resulting in more infrequent bowel movements. The reduced ability of nerves to stimulate proper and coordinated bowel muscle contractions causes a longer stool transit time which in turn results in more absorption of water. This makes the stool harder and dryer and the passing of stool more difficult, painful and less frequent. 

Medication habits

Medication usage is more common in older people. There are several types of medication that are known to slow down the digestive process and thus could be triggering constipation symptoms. These include some drugs used to treat depression, antacids containing aluminum or calcium, iron supplements, some allergy medicines (antihistamines), certain painkillers (like opioids), some drugs for high blood pressure, including diuretics, and some drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease. If you’re taking any new medication and start experiencing constipation , consult your doctor or pharmacist.

You should never change or stop prescribed medications without talking it through with a healthcare professional first.

Dietary habits

Nutrition has a direct impact on how often you go. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, processed food, dairy products and eggs, or rich desserts and sugary sweets, while not eating enough high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may contribute to occasional constipation.

Physical exercise

As we get older, we tend to exercise less and our bodies tend to relax more, making muscle stimulation more difficult, including the muscle stimulation of our digestive system. Modest physical activity may help individuals with occasional constipation while prolonged physical inactivity in those who are normally physically active, especially in the elderly, can reduce colonic transit. Prolonged physical inactivity in those who are normally physically active, especially in the elderly, can increase the time it takes for the stool to pass through the colon. Therefore, incorporating modest physical activity into your day may help individuals with occasional constipation.

Tips and tricks to get relief

We have listed a series of simple measures you can consider and try at any stage of your life in order to help prevent occasional constipation:

1. Adapt your diet habits

If you’re experiencing occasional constipation, start adding more fiber in your diet (whole wheat bread, brown rice, nuts, pumpkin seeds…). Fresh fruits (apples, raisins, prunes…) and vegetables (sweet potatoes, spinach, lentils...) will also help prevent occasional constipation. Fiber intake should be increased gradually. 

2. Weekly physical activity

Physical inactivity, especially in the elderly, can slow down the movement in the large intestine, therefore increasing the time needed for the stool to move through the colon. While moderate increased activity does not change bowel function in healthy people, modest physical activity may help people with occasional constipation.

3. Create a bathroom schedule and routine

Many people find that going to the bathroom at a specific time each day can help their body create a new routine. The famous “toilet sitting position” – leaning forward, with a straight back and with feet supported – can help you get relief.

4. Talk to your doctor about the medication you’re taking

Medications used to treat depression, antacids containing aluminum or calcium, iron supplements, some allergy medicines (antihistamines), certain painkillers, some drugs for high blood pressure, including diuretics, and some drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease can cause constipation. If you suffer from constipation related to medication usage, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

You should never change or stop prescribed medications without consulting a healthcare professional first.

5. Get discomfort treated

Although most cases of occasional constipation can be treated with at-home or over the counter remedies, some cases may require some additional help. If your occasional constipation is causing complications, like swollen veins in your anus (hemorrhoids), stool that can't be expelled (fecal impaction), or even parts of the intestine protruding from the anus (rectal prolapse), consult your doctor. If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever or rectal bleeding, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any over the counter medication.

DulcoLax® family of products

DulcoLax® products help your digestive system get moving with gentle overnight or fast relief solutions. Find the DulcoLax® product that’s right for you.

  •

    DulcoLax® Liquid
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 2+
    • Convenient format
    • 354 mL
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Vegan

    DulcoLax® Liquid provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax® Liquid.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

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    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 4-11
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 15ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably. 

    *suitable for kids 4 to under 11 

    ** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 12+
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 30ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax®Soft Chews.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Suppositories
    • Occasional constipation
    • Fast relief in 15 to 60 minutes
    • Suppositories
    • 12+ years old
    • Effective relief
    • 3ct
    • 6ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. DulcoLax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly. 

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® For Women
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 12+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 20ct
    • 25ct
    • 50ct

    DulcoLax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Tablets
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 6+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 10ct
    • 30ct
    • 60ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more

  • DulcoLax® Liquid
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 2+
    • Convenient format
    • 354 mL
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Vegan

    DulcoLax® Liquid provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax® Liquid.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Learn More

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 4-11
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 15ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably. 

    *suitable for kids 4 to under 11 

    ** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews
    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 12+
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 30ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    DulcoLax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax®Soft Chews.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Suppositories
    • Occasional constipation
    • Fast relief in 15 to 60 minutes
    • Suppositories
    • 12+ years old
    • Effective relief
    • 3ct
    • 6ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. DulcoLax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly. 

    Learn more

  • DulcoLax® For Women
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 12+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 20ct
    • 25ct
    • 50ct

    DulcoLax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more

    DulcoLax® Tablets
    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 6+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 10ct
    • 30ct
    • 60ct
    • 100ct

    DulcoLax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Learn more
Discover all products

Stay informed

Occasional constipation is a common condition with a wide range of possible causes. We know how unpredictable and frustrating constipation can be, so we are here to help identify the possible causes and teach you how to address them.

What are daily habits that can cause occasional constipation ?

Everything is connected and we mean this literally: our body, mind and habits can greatly affect our digestive health. Your daily habits, from the foods you eat to your daily activity level and sleep schedule can affect your bowel movements and the result may be that you get constipated. Fear not, making simple changes to your lifestyle habits can be a helpful first step in preventing occasional constipation.

Read more

How to avoid occasional constipation while traveling ?

It is common for constipation to occur when your life or daily routine changes. Traveling can sometimes trigger changes to your digestive system and as a result your bowel movements. Adapting to new circadian rhythms, new foods and new environments can trigger occasional constipation. Jet lag can also disrupt travelers for several days.

Read more

How is constipation related to stress ?

Healthy mind, healthy body – isn’t that what they say ? The brain-gut connection is real: our digestive system is highly impacted by our mind and our stress levels. Whether you’re experiencing stress at work, at home, or in your daily life, it can all impact your bowel movements and lead to occasional constipation.

Read more

Occasional constipation during pregnancy

During pregnancy, there is a lot going on, to say the least. The new hormone levels can trigger many changes in the body. Pregnant women frequently suffer from difficult and infrequent bowel movements, hard and dry stools, and discomfort. 

Read more

View all articles

    • Gandell D., et al. Treatment of constipation in older people. CMAJ. 2013 May 14;185(8):663-70.
    • Müller-Lissner SA., et al. Myths and misconceptions about chronic constipation. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Jan;100(1):232-42.
    • De Giorgio R., et al. Chronic constipation in the elderly: a primer for the gastroenterologist. BMC Gastroenterol. 2015 Oct 14; 15:130
    • Mayo Clinic. Aging: What to expect. November 19th, 2020. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/aging/art-20046070
    • Cleveland Clinic. Constipation: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention. July 11th, 2019. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4059-constipation
    • Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Constipation in Canada A Special Report from the CDHF. February 2014