Senna is a bitter herb indigenous to Turkey and the Nile region of Northern Africa. The herb is yellow to green in color and once dried it can be made into a tea to assist with weight loss. Senna activates the colon and expedites the removal of...
Magnesium, a common mineral, has many functions in your body. It helps your nervous system and muscle system to work properly, and it helps regulate the levels and usage of the most common bodily mineral, calcium. Magnesium citrate is one of...
Medication stool softeners docusate sodium and docusate calcium, help relieve your bowel constipation. Each medication softens your stool creating easier evacuation from your rectum. Both stool softeners should not be used long term. By adding...
If your toddler is having fewer bowel movements than usual or has a hard time passing stool, he may be constipated. Constipation can be caused by many things, especially during the toddler years when your child may be learning to use the toilet....
Hospitalized patients are often unaware of much of the work performed by nurses on their behalf. The care plan for a patient after the surgical removal of hemorrhoids is determined by one nurse and followed by all of the nurses caring for the...
Epsom salt, technically known as magnesium sulfate, has several uses for health benefits. People take Epsom salt orally for certain conditions, but it is best known for using as a bath or soak. Epsom salt also is good for most plants as a natural...
The colon's main function is to process liquid waste material into a manageable amount of solid stool for evacuation. Several disorders of the colon, or bowel, can occur, including functional disorders like constipation or diarrhea, or structural...
Flaxseed oil is taken as a supplement primarily for its omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid content. As the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, explains, flaxseed oil can help with regulation of cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart...
Bravelle, the brand name product of urofollitropin, is a prescription medication available as a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. It is used to induce ovulation in women who previously received pituitary suppression and in the development...
Iron deficiency anemia is often treated with iron supplements. These supplements contain ferric or ferrous acid, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, and are designed to replenish the body's iron stores. Iron supplements carry a few...
Hydrocodone 5/acetaminophen 500mg is a prescription drug classified as an opioid analgesic. It is used for the relief of moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodone blocks the perception of pain in the brain by binding to receptors. This results in a...
Oat bran is the hard outer layer of the oat grain. It is high in fiber, and good for your health when eaten as part of a balanced diet. Oat bran's soluble fiber has several protective cardiovascular effects, including lowering your cholesterol,...
Many modern day detox diets, such as the Master Cleanse, suggest a salt water colon cleanse to jump start the plan. A salt water cleanse consists of drinking as much as one-quart of salt water to flush the intestinal tract. Science does not...
Constipation is a common occurrence during pregnancy. Hormonal changes slow your digestive tract movement, and the larger your baby gets, the more your uterus presses on your intestines, which also contributes to constipation. There's also a...
During a laparoscopic hysterectomy, a surgeon makes several small incisions within a woman's lower abdomen or vagina through which her uterus is removed in small pieces. Unlike an open abdominal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy typically...
Senna tea is made from the dried leaves or fruits of the Cassia senna or Cassia angustifolia plant. You can drink senna tea to treat constipation due to its natural laxative effects. Senna tea may have a strongly bitter flavor, so you may want to...
Constipation can cause the stool in the colon and rectum to become dry and hard, making it uncomfortable to have a bowel movement. Stool softeners can be used to soften the stool and make it easier to pass out of the digestive tract. However,...
Potty training is an exciting time for you as a parent, but a challenging one for your child. Your little one must suddenly learn how to control these bodily functions, and recognize the urge and head straight for the toilet. But, it's also a...
Senokot-S is a combination of the stimulant laxative senna and the stool softener docusate. Senokot-S is an over-the-counter drug designed to treat occasional constipation. It works by bringing more water to the stool to allow it to become soft...
Constipation, according to the American College of Physicians "Complete Home Medical Guide," is most common in females, children and the elderly. It is characterized by stool that is hard, small and difficult to pass. Constipation can be...
Constipation is typically defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. In addition to the infrequency of bowel movements, constipation is also characterized by small, dry stools that are difficult to eliminate. Stool softeners and...
Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS, is a chronic disorder of the large intestine characterized by an imbalance in bowel functions. IBS is not fatal, but it can be discomforting and disruptive to daily life. Symptoms vary by...
A fiber-rich diet supports digestion and healthy bowel functioning. Deficiencies in fiber can cause uncomfortable constipation, which some people choose to remedy with a bulk laxative. Although these products can quickly promote regularity, they...
In most cases, changes in diet and lifestyle can prevent constipation. While a high-fiber diet and active lifestyle are the first line of defense against this common, uncomfortable condition, severe cases may require an immediate solution. The...
According to the National Digestive Disease Information Center, NDDIC, more than 4 million Americans experience constipation yearly. People over age 65; post-surgical, post-stroke and palliative-care patients; and pregnant women who suffer from...
Sitting for hours at a time in a wheelchair can place a lot of stress on the body. The tailbone, or coccyx, often absorbs the brunt of that stress, and can become increasingly painful if you don't take measures to ease the pressure. While there...
Stool softeners contain medication to soften your stool, and they make stool easier to pass from your rectum. Stool softeners are prescribed after surgery to prevent straining and injury and to counter the constipating effects of narcotic pain...
Bisacodyl and Colace are prescribed for short-term constipation relief. While Colace is a stool softener, Bisacodyl acts as a stimulant laxative by increasing peristalsis, or the wave-like contractions that propel food and feces through the...
Strenuous bowel movements cause a rise in inner abdominal pressure. Prolonged stretches of high abdominal pressure may bring about a variety of medical problems. Intestinal blockage is the most common and one of the most dangerous causes of bowel...
