Laxatives and Constipation!!

Though a number of treatments are available for curbing constipation but the most commonly used mode of treatment is laxative. Laxatives are made up of chemicals which increases stool motility, frequency and bulk. However laxatives may cause chronic constipation if misused.

Laxatives Types:

Laxatives come in the form of pills, capsules, liquids, enemas and suppositories. These laxatives have specific benefits and possible side-effects. However using a pill or capsule is much better than a suppository or enema in the rectum. The different types of laxatives are:

 Bulking Agents (Fiber): - Fiber is most recommended for normal and slow-transit constipation. It is available over the counter as Citrucel, Fiber-la, Equilactin, Benefiber, Metamucil and Fibercon. Fiber acts by increasing the water content and bulk of the stool resulting in easier bowel movements. Furthermore fiber may reduce the absorption of some medicines thus always take your medicine at least 1 hour before or after taking fiber.

 Emollient laxatives (stool softener): - These laxatives soften the stool and widely known as “stool softener”. Emollient laxatives such as Colace takes a week or longer to be effective.

 Lubricant laxatives: - These laxatives consist of mineral oil which adds a slick layer to the intestinal walls that stops the stool from drying out.

 Stimulant laxatives: - It provides instantaneous relief from constipation. Stimulant laxatives stimulate the lining of the intestine thereby making the bowel movement easier for you. However make sure not to use stimulant laxatives daily as it reduces the body’s natural ability to defecate and results in laxative dependency. Shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifome stimulant laxatives are Ex-Lax, Senokot, Correctol, Dulcolax, and Feen-a-Mint.

 Osmotic and hyperosmolar laxatives: - These laxatives include all hydrating agents that add fluids into the intestine from the surrounding tissues i.e. Milk of Magnesia or MOM, Kristalose, Fleet Phospho-Soda. Due to the addition of water in the intestine, stool becomes soft which enables easy defecation.