Laxatives are foods or drugs that are taken to treat constipation, a condition in which you find it difficult to move your bowels. Laxatives work by adding bulk and water to your stools, with the larger stools affecting the bowels to move the stools out.
What to Look for
There are four types of products for preventing or treating constipation. These are bulking agents, stool softeners, osmotic laxatives and stimulant laxatives. Bulking agents are foods, such as bran or products like Citrucel, Metamucil, Fibercon or Perdiem. These relieve constipation by absorbing liquid in the intestines and enlarging the stool. The bowel is stimulated when it is surrounded by a huge bulk. Using bulking agents regularly safely increases the number of stools.
Stool softeners, such as Colace lubricate, soften the stool in the intestine, making it easier for a patient to pass. Lubricant laxatives cover the surface of the stools, which helps them to retain water and pass from the body. The more water a person drinks determines how effective it will be. Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, stop constipation and alleviate the strain that is caused by the condition. However, it does not provide the patient with immediate relief.
Osmotic laxatives, such as Milk of Magnesia or lactulose, keep fluids in the intestine and bring fluids into the intestine from surrounding tissue and water vessels. Stimulant laxatives, such as Correctol, make the passage of the stool go more quickly by irritating the lining of the intestines.
Common Pitfalls
Patients should not take other medications within 2 hours of taking a laxative, as it can affect the way in which their bodies absorb medicines and nutrients. You should not take laxatives if you have an allergy to any of the ingredients, such as psyllium (a main ingredient in many laxatives). Speak to your doctor before taking stimulant laxatives if you have been diabetic or suffered from heart disease or high blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are taking medication for seizures or depression or if you are pregnant.
Some of the side effects associated with laxatives include diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, irritation or stomach cramping. If taken correctly, laxatives will not cause any discomfort. However, if a patient has such symptoms as bloody stools, severe cramping, dizziness, rectal bleeding or fatigue they should contact their doctor immediately. Patients should take laxatives for no longer than one week.
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