Suggest Home Remedies For Diarrhea And Constipation In An Elderly Person

Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 6 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 96 year old mother who lives with me has had diarrhea for weeks. She has been on a BRAT diet but still has daily bouts of diarrhea. Sometimes its extreme and happens 4 to 5 times a day/night. When she doesn't have diarrhea she gets constipated - not sure which is worse. Any meds or home remedies you can recommend? Would probiotics help?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
HI and thank you asking.
You are reporting that your mother has diarrhea for weeks and it is altered with constipation.

All these symptoms may be related with:
-IBS
-Bowel infection( viral, bacterial)
For the moment she can start to use:
1.     Probiotics
2.     Tasectan and hydramine to improve gastric mucosa.
3.      Plenty of water, fresh juice.
BRAT diet can be used only for a couple of days not to long time, it may cause malnutrition.
T
o my opinion she need to do further exams like fecal stool test ( coproculture) to evaluate bowel infection. After that she can start proper treatment.
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar