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laxatives
Laxatives :drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation
What Is Constipation?
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent.
The normal length of time between bowel movements ranges widely from person to person.
Some people have bowel movements three times a day; others, only one or two times a week.
Going longer than three days without a bowel movement is too long. After three days, the stool or feces become harder and more difficult to pass.
You are considered constipated if you have two or more of the following for at least 3 months: - Straining during a bowel movement more than 25% of the time.
- Hard stools more than 25% of the time.
- Incomplete evacuation more than 25% of the time.
- Two or fewer bowel movements in a week.
What Causes Constipation?
Constipation is usually caused by a disorder of bowel function rather than a structural problem. Common causes of constipation include:
Inadequate water intake
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Inadequate fiber in the diet
A disruption of regular diet or routine; traveling.
Inadequate activity or exercise or immobility.
Eating large amounts of dairy products.
Stress.
Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which is sometimes the result of pain from hemorrhoids.
Overuse of laxatives (stool softeners) which, over time, weaken the bowel muscles.
Hypothyroidism.
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum.
Medicines (especially strong pain medicines, such as narcotics, antidepressants, or iron pills).
Depression.
Eating disorders.
Irritable bowel syndrome.
Pregnancy.
Colon cancer.
In some cases, lack of good nerve and muscle function in the bowel may also be a cause of constipation.
What Are the Symptoms of Constipation?
Symptoms of constipation can include:
Infrequent bowel movements and/or difficulty having bowel movements.
Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain.
Pain.
Vomiting How Is Constipation Diagnosed?
Most people do not need extensive testing to diagnose constipation.
Only a small number of patients with constipation have a more serious medical problem.
If you have constipation for more than two weeks, you should see a doctor so he or she can determine the source of your problem and treat it.
If constipation is caused by colon cancer, early detection and treatment is very important.
Tests your doctor may perform to diagnose the cause of your constipation include: - Blood tests if a hormonal imbalance is suspected
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- Barium studies to look for obstruction of the colon
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- Colonoscopy to look for obstruction of the colon
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The vast majority of patients with constipation do not have any obvious illness to explain their symptoms and suffer from one of two problems:- Colonic inertia. A condition in which the colon contracts poorly and retains stool
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- Obstructed defecation. A condition in which the person excessively strains to expel stool from the rectum.
How Can I Prevent Constipation?
There are several things you can do to prevent constipation. Among them: - Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain bread and cereal (especially bran). Fiber and water help the colon pass stool
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- Drink 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water and other fluids a day (unless fluid restricted for another medical condition). Liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee and soft drinks,
- seem to have a dehydrating effect and may need to be avoided until your bowel habits return to normal. Some people may need to avoid milk, as dairy products may be constipating for them.
- Exercise regularly.
- Move your bowels when you feel the urge.
How do laxatives work?
Should I use a laxative to treat constipation?
Most of the time, constipation doesn’t require treatment with laxatives.
It will usually go away on its own or if you make changes in your diet and other habits.
For example,
you can treat constipation by eating enough fiber, drinking enough fluids and getting enough exercise.
See Constipation: Keeping Your Bowels Moving Smoothly for more information. Sometimes you may need a little help from an OTC medicine.
What are some common side effects of laxatives?
Most laxatives don’t have side effects if you use them correctly. However, sometimes they can cause
cramping, gas, bloating, nausea or diarrhea.
Who shouldn’t take laxatives?
If you have a condition called phenylketonuria,
you shouldn’t take a laxative that contains phenylalanine.
Don’t take laxatives if you have an allergy to any of the ingredients.
Some people may be allergic to psyllium, a key ingredient in one type of bulk-forming laxative.
Laxatives aren’t meant for long-term use.
Don’t use laxatives for longer than one week unless your doctor recommends it.
Long-term use or overuse of laxatives can cause health problems.
Overusing laxatives may also hide symptoms that are important for your doctor to know about. This could delay finding out about problems you have and also delay the treatment you need.
Could laxatives cause problems with any medicines or supplements I take?
Laxatives can get in the way of how your body absorbs certain medicines and some nutrients.
In general, don’t take any other medicines within two hours of taking a laxative.
If you’re taking a prescription medicine of any kind, talk to your doctor before taking a laxative.
You also shouldn’t mix different types of laxatives, such as oral laxatives (which you take by mouth) and rectal laxatives (which you take by inserting a suppository or enema into your rectum, which is the last part of your large intestine).
Don’t take bisacodyl within one hour of taking antacids or drinking milk.
Mineral oil and castor oil are sometimes used as laxatives, but they shouldn’t be used often.
If mineral oil is used often, it can cause deficiencies of vitamins A, D, E and K. Castor oil, which is a stimulant laxative, can lead to chronic constipation
because it can cause you to lose muscle tone in your bowel. Mineral oil and castor oil also interact with blood thinning medicines, antibiotics such as tetracycline, and certain heart and bone medicines.