It is very important that she drink plenty of water while taking a laxative, as some can be high in salt and might dehydrate the expectant or nursing mother. Others require sufficient fluid intake to work properly, as with bulk-forming laxatives.
Always consult a pharmacist or physician before taking medications while pregnant or nursing, as some formulas of over-the-counter or prescription laxatives can negatively affect the infant. By preventing straining during a bowel movement, dietary fibre and bulk-forming laxatives can also assist in the prevention of hemorrhoids, a common pregnancy and delivery concern. It is important for individuals to follow the instructions given by a healthcare provider and those supplied by the product manufacturer when taking an over-the-counter laxative.
Unless otherwise directed by a medical professional, remember that over-the-counter and prescription laxatives are only intended for short-term use and you should not exceed the dosage on the label. With all types of laxatives, it is important to consume at least cups mL or 8oz of liquids preferably water every day plus an additional glass with every laxative dose taken, unless otherwise advised by your healthcare provider.
Ensure plenty of fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Laxative abuse can lead to serious dysfunction of bowel motility such as intestinal paralysis, cathartic colon, lazy or laxative gut, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, and other problems.
Using laxatives regularly, except for bulk-forming agents and stool softeners, can lead to these problems. Therefore, it is important to use laxatives in moderation and under the supervision of a physician or other regulated healthcare provider. If you have chronic constipation, where it is a daily issue or occurs more than once a week, then seek the care of a medical professional before self-treating with over-the-counter laxatives.
Bulk-Forming Your body does not digest bulk-forming laxatives; instead, the fibre they contain absorbs and retains a large quantity of fluid, thereby forming a soft, bulky stool formed feces. Stool Softeners Stool softeners enable easier incorporation of water into the stool to keep it soft and easier to pass. Lubricants Lubricant laxatives simply coat the colon and stool in a waterproof film allowing it to remain soft and easier to slip through the intestine while retaining its moisture, usually within hours.
Stimulants Stimulants increase muscle contractions of the digestive system peristalsis to move contents along, facilitating a shorter colonic transit time. Hyperosmotics Osmotic laxatives encourage bowel movements by drawing water into the bowel from the nearby tissue intestinal lumen thereby softening the stool.
This means you can buy them at the store without a prescription from your doctor. Some may be called stool softeners or fiber supplements. There are several different kinds of laxatives. Each one works a different way. These are the most common types.
This causes the stool to absorb more water. It creates larger, softer stools. The larger stools help trigger the bowel intestines to contract. This moves the stools out. Bulk-forming laxatives generally are the safest type of laxative. To reduce your risk of side effects, you should start slowly. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking bulk-forming laxatives. Gradually increase how much you use until you get the results you want.
These coat the surface of the stools to make them slippery. Doing this helps the stools move out of the body more easily. Glycerin suppositories lubricate the inside of the anus the outside opening of the intestine.
This makes it easier to pass hard stools out of the body. These help mix fluid into stools to soften them. This makes stools easier to pass out of the body. An example of a stool softener is docusate 1 brand name: Colace. These cause the intestine to hold more fluid.
This softens stools and helps the bowel move them out. Examples include polyethylene glycol 1 brand name: Miralax and magnesium hydroxide solution brand name: Milk of Magnesia. These are the harshest type of laxatives. They cause the bowel to squeeze or contract to move the stools out. Bisacodyl 1 brand name: Dulcolax and sennosides 1 brand name: Senokot are examples of stimulant laxatives. Stimulant laxatives should not be used for more than a few days.
Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, coat the surface of a stool, which helps the stool retain fluid and pass with less difficulty. Doctors may recommend lubricants for people with blockages in the anus or rectum. However, they can sometimes inhibit the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Find out more about preventing constipation.
Page last reviewed: 10 June Next review due: 10 June Overview - Laxatives Contents Overview Considerations. Types of laxatives There are 4 main types of laxatives. Bulk-forming laxatives Bulk-forming laxatives work by increasing the "bulk" or weight of poo, which in turn stimulates your bowel.
They take 2 or 3 days to work. Bulk-forming laxatives include: Fybogel ispaghula husk methylcellulose Osmotic laxatives Osmotic laxatives draw water from the rest of the body into your bowel to soften poo and make it easier to pass. They include: lactulose also called by the brand names Duphalac and Lactugal macrogol also called by the brand names Movicol, Laxido, CosmoCol, Molaxole and Molative polyethylene glycol Stimulant laxatives These stimulate the muscles that line your gut, helping them to move poo along to your back passage.
They take 6 to 12 hours to work. They include: bisacodyl also called by the brand name Dulcolax senna also called by the brand name Senokot sodium picosulfate Poo-softener laxatives This type of laxative works by letting water into poo to soften it and make it easier to pass.
They include: arachis oil docusate Which laxative should I use? Unless there's a reason why a type of laxative may be more suitable for you than another: start with a bulk-forming laxative if your poo remains hard, try using an osmotic laxative in addition to, or instead of, a bulk-forming laxative if your poo is soft but is still difficult to pass, try taking a stimulant laxative in addition to a bulk-forming laxative Speak to a GP or pharmacist if you're unsure which laxative to use.
Things to consider Laxatives are not suitable for everyone.
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