Constipation which laxative

The following tips can help you work with your laxative to relieve constipation and keep you regular. We asked doctors to investigate whether claims about the Squatty Potty are true or false. Is there an average number of times a day you should poop, and what are some of the factors that affect frequency? Drinking hot water is a great way to stay hydrated, and it might have extra health benefits. Learn about 10 possible benefits of drinking hot water….

Coconut oil is a common home remedy for constipation. Here's a look at how it works and how to use it. Benefiber and Metamucil are fiber supplements that fight constipation. Learn how they compare. Constipation medications are available in over-the-counter and prescription versions.

Find out which options might work well for you. Learn why constipation is common among people with diabetes, plus how to help reduce and relieve it. Constipation can be uncomfortable and even painful. But there are several different at-home remedies to help you get relief. Mineral oil is one remedy…. Fiber intake depends on age, gender, and sex.

Find out how much fiber you need, where to get it, and the best way to increase your daily intake. Learn what typical bowel movements should include, as well as tips to poop more…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Stool Softeners vs.

Introduction Constipation can be extremely uncomfortable, and it can affect anyone due to many different causes. Stool softeners and laxatives. Side effects and interactions. Laxative misuse. These hold water in stool to soften it and increase bowel movements. Common side effects are gas, bloating, and nausea. Another option that works for some people is diet candies containing the sweetener sorbitol. These essentially trigger a mild case of the runs. You may experience bloating and gas along with the laxative effect, however.

Another option would be a magnesium-based laxative, such as milk of magnesia or magnesium citrate. These are members of a larger class of laxatives called saline osmotics, which draw water into the bowels and trigger bowel movements.

The active ingredients include magnesium, sulfate, citrate, and phosphate. But don't take more than the recommended amounts of these laxatives, or use them long-term, because they can throw off your chemistry.

Combined with an underperforming kidney or heart failure, saline osmotic laxatives can be dangerous. Stimulant laxatives such as bisacodyl and cascara trigger contractions in the bowels that push the stool along. The first choice she recommends is a senna-based stimulant laxative.

But if you take stimulant laxatives too often, you could become dependent on them to have a bowel movement at all—possibly because the bowel is not functioning normally.

If you find yourself trying one laxative after another for long periods, see your doctor for an evaluation. Additional testing can lead to better therapy and rule out any possible serious malfunctions.

Overuse of laxatives may cause serious side effects. How often you have a bowel movement varies, but people normally have as many as three bowel movements a day to as few as three a week. You may be constipated if you have fewer bowel movements than are normal for you. In addition, constipation may involve stools that are difficult to pass because they're hard, dry or small. Lifestyle improvements relieve constipation for many people, but if problems continue despite these changes, your next choice may be a mild laxative.

Laxatives work in different ways, and the effectiveness of each laxative type varies from person to person. In general, bulk-forming laxatives, also referred to as fiber supplements, are the gentlest on your body and safest to use long term. Metamucil and Citrucel fall into this category. Here are some examples of types of laxatives.

Even though many laxatives are available over-the-counter, it's best to talk to your doctor about laxative use and which kind may be best for you. Oral laxatives may interfere with your body's absorption of some medications and nutrients. Some laxatives can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, especially after prolonged use. Electrolytes — which include calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sodium — regulate a number of body functions. An electrolyte imbalance can cause abnormal heart rhythms, weakness, confusion and seizures.

Some products combine different types of laxatives, such as a stimulant and a stool softener. But combination products don't necessarily work more effectively than single-ingredient products.

Chronic laxative misuse can also contribute to colon cancer. Laxative misuse often requires medical help for both physical and mental treatment. A doctor will be able to give advice on this. However, here are some basic tips for giving up laxatives :. How someone takes laxatives, and how often they take them, will vary depending on the form they come in. Therefore, it is important to carefully read the instructions before taking laxatives.

Anyone with concerns should always ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional. There are also some other important things to consider :. Laxatives should only be taken occasionally and for short periods of time. There are some natural alternatives to laxatives and lifestyle changes that can help alleviate constipation :.

What happens inside the body after a person eats dictate how they put on weight and how long it takes to process nutrients. Find out the typical…. We look at some possible natural alternatives to laxatives for people looking to have a bowel movement.

We also look at when to see a doctor. Epsom salt is a widely available home remedy for many ailments, including constipation.