International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 40, Issue 8 , Pages 843-852, November 2003

Constipation and the preached trio: diet, fluid intake, exercise

  • Merilyn Annells

      Affiliations

    • RDNS Helen Macpherson Smith Institute of Community Health, La Trobe University, Australia
  • ,
  • Tina Koch

      Affiliations

    • RDNS Research Unit, Royal District Nursing Service of South Australia Inc., PO Box 247, Glenside SA 5065, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +61-8-8206-0111; fax: +61-8-8206-0010

Received 1 September 2002; received in revised form 21 January 2003; accepted 24 March 2003.

Abstract 

A survey of 90 older community-dwelling people's constipation experience is reported in part. The focus is the participants’ efforts to use diet, fluid intake and exercise as preventive strategies. Most feel that they have been preached to in this regard. However, constraints may prevent full adherence to the trio and although some have gained from diet adjustment, the majority is disillusioned about these strategies.

Nurses should be aware that scientific and medical literature is discussing evidence that dietary fibre intake preventing constipation is not proven, that fluid intake does not necessarily determine stool bulk or speed colon transit time, and that there is no proven link between exercise levels and chronic constipation.

Keywords:  Constipation, Diet, Fluids, Exercise, Elderly

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PII: S0020-7489(03)00075-0

doi:10.1016/S0020-7489(03)00075-0

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 40, Issue 8 , Pages 843-852, November 2003