“Why is my father having hard stools?”
My father is 74 years old and though he is not constipated, he complains that his stools are hard. He has tried drinking more water but it still doesn’t help. Could it be an indication of an issue with his intestines?
4 Answers
Drinking water does not treat constipation or soften stools. This is perhaps the biggest myth in gastroenterology. Hard stools and constipation tend to go hand in hand, but even if your father is having regular bowel movements, if the stools are hard then it is still a problem of colon motility (too slow). To speed up the contents in the colon, treat in the conventional way with over the counter laxatives (e.g. Miralax, dulcolax), a lot more fruits and fiber, enemas or, if these don't work, prescription laxatives.
It is certainly a possibility of an underlying intestinal problem. Most of the time is related to decreased activity, new medications or decreased water intake. If none of those apply, then it is best to have him see a specialist.
Constipation is actually defined as having hard stool, infrequent bowel movements (less than 3 times a week), difficulty in evacuating. A typical male needs 25g to 30g of fiber per day. If this is a new symptom, then he should follow up with a physician. This may be a sign of something more serious if fiber is not effective.
Try OTC stool softeners and if the condition persists, then he should consult his doctor.
