1. Break it up
You can find a number of different kinds of laxatives that can help relieve the discomfort of constipation. Some over the counter meds work on the bowels to get them to contract and expand. Other laxatives add much needed to water to the surface of the stuck stools, allowing them to pass much easier. Laxatives come in pill form and as suppositories that can work directly at the scene of the blockage.
2. Wait for Constipation Relief
Most of the time, constipation is a result of stress or from having eaten something that doesn't want to cooperate with your system. Many people get blocked when they consume too much cheese for instance. Lack of fluids, especially water, can also create conditions that will result in an inability to have a bowel movement. You should wait at least one day before turning to a laxative for relief because often the problem fixes itself with some relaxation, fiber and fluids.
3. Set Limits for Laxative use
Most laxatives should be taken only occasionally, after a couple days of being stuck. Except for the bulk-producing laxatives like Metamucil that you mix with water and take daily, laxatives should never be taken for more than five or six days in a row. The ingredients in laxatives are harsh for the body and can cause permanent damage. Addiction to laxatives becomes an issue when you can't go anymore without them. People who use laxatives for weight-loss are at serious risk for complications.
4. Clear the Deck
Sometimes laxatives have side effects that cause embarrassing situations. Chewable constipation products such as Ex-Lax can be unpredictable, sending you running to the bathroom when you least expect it. Others such as Colace and Phillips can cause gas, clearing a room at an inconvenient time. Overnight laxatives such as Correctol require a clear path to the toilet on waking. Make sure no one will be tying up the loo when you'll need it in a hurry.
5. Read all Warnings
Before using a laxative, read the ingredients on the label. Many people are allergic to certain kinds of laxative properties such as psyllium. Some of the harsher irons, such as magnesium and potassium, can cause reactions when taken with other medications or restricted diets. When laxatives relieve constipation, they flush the body of the good stuff too. Don't use a laxative within a couple hours of taken important medications. Refill the body's reservoir of vitamins after using a laxative. Also, stop using any constipation product if you see any blood in your stools.
