Constipation is when a person's bowels fail to move. According to Cleveland Clinic staff, less than three bowel movements per week means a person is constipated, the most often cited gastrointestinal complaint in the United States. In the U.S., 2 million doctor visits and about $725 million is consumed on over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives a year. Women, children, and adults above the age of 65 are most often affected as well as pregnant women and recent surgical patients. When laxatives, added fiber, fresh fruit and vegetables consumed, extra water intake and fruit juices like prune juice don't have the desired effect, it may be time to go directly to the problem area. You can stimulate a bowel movement with an anal lubricant or cleansing fluid, such as as an enema or suppository. Several options are available, but you may want an intimate partner or family member to help your first time. Lying on your left side in bed (and near a toilet) with your right knee bent should make insertion of the suppository or lubricated enema nozzle in your anus more comfortable.
Carbon dioxide
A carbon dioxide-releasing laxative stimulates bowel movements by forming carbon dioxide gas. This gas pushes against the intestinal wall, causing contractions that move the stool mass. It is usually contained in suppository form.
Hyperosmotic
Hyperosmotic laxatives, like glycerin or sodium phosphate, pull water from the colon wall. A soft stool mass is formed as well as increased bowel action from the stimulation of the colon wall.
Lubricant
Mineral oil will coat both the bowel wall and the stool mass with a waterproof film. Moisture is kept in the stool and the lubricant helps movement of the stool. One problem with oil lubricants is it may continue to ease movement for a period of up to 24 hours after the application. This lubricant can be applied by liquid enema or suppository.
Stimulants
Stimulant laxatives using bisacodyl or a senna solution are also known as contact laxatives. They act on the bowel walls by increasing muscle contractions which will move the stool mass. The solution is usually applied in a liquid enema.
Stool softeners
Stool softeners or emollient laxatives, such as docusate sodium, help bowel movements by mixing liquids in the stool to prevent hard stool masses. It can be introduced into the stool by a mini emema and may seem less intrusive than a full sized liquid enema.
Combination Kits
Combination enema and douche kits are available from drugstores and are reusable. A liquid, such as warm tap water, can be poured into a rubber "water bottle" then allowed to flow through tubing to to an insertion nozzle for the anus. The water stimulates the bowel walls to expel both water and stool. The same kit may also be used with a vaginal insertion nozzle for cleansing douches.
