December 28, 2007
Salt Water Flush Therapy
Constipation may affect up to 20% of people aged over 65 years. 1 In the elderly person constipation develops in association with poor mobility and is common in long term hospital or nursing home care. Prolonged salt water flush treatment is often necessary to avoid serious morbidity. Laxative use has been reported in 75% of long stay hospital patients and 32% of nursing home patients. Treatment of constipation involves bulking agents initially, followed if necessary by stimulant or osmotic laxatives. The chosen laxative should be efficacious, safe, without excess unwanted effects, and relatively inexpensive but cost effective. There are no good comparative clinical studies of the commonly used laxatives.
Salt Water Flush Therapy
