If you are having fewer than three bowel movements each week or have small, hard movements that are difficult to pass, your doctor may recommend a laxative. Depending on the type of laxative you use, you may need to alter your daily eating plan...
Laxatives are drugs, foods or substances used to induce bowel movement to relieve constipation. The doctor may advise you to take laxatives if you have medical conditions that may be worsened by straining. These conditions include heart disease,...
Different types of over-the-counter laxatives vary considerably in their strength and mechanism of action. Some, such as fiber supplements, are mild and benign, while others -- stimulant laxatives and osmotic agents -- act rapidly and pose more...
Taking too many laxatives can put your health at risk. If you're taking excess laxatives for any reason, including chronic constipation or in misguided efforts to purge, cleanse your body or lose weight, serious complications are possible. Consult...
Aloe or aloe vera is an herbal medicine derived from the leaves of the aloe plant. It is used in numerous lotions and creams to help skin conditions, particularly burns. One primary internal use is to help relieve nausea when you are sick. Aloe is...
Laxatives are useful for combating occasional constipation. Different laxatives work in different ways. Some stimulate the muscles of the bowel to contract. Others contain fiber that absorbs water and gives stool more bulk. Some laxatives are...
Consuming refined foods, a number of dairy products, alcohol, even stress can cause constipation or hardening of the stool. It can last anywhere from a day to a number of weeks if not treated properly. Laxatives are somewhat of an immediate...
Corn syrup was once a common home remedy for infant constipation. Corn syrup added to an infant’s bottle would prompt a bowel movement, but medical authorities no longer consider this treatment to be an effective remedy—for infants or...
Bisacodyl is an over-the-counter drug that is part of several different brand name products. Bisacodyl is a laxative prescribed for a few different situations. Taking laxatives for reasons other than their prescribed reason may be dangerous and...
Edema is a condition caused by an excess of fluid trapped in your body tissues resulting in swelling. Typical reasons for this to emerge is excess salt consumption, premenstruation, pregnancy or sitting in one position for a long period. If you're...
Many types of diets are designed to help people lose weight. Sometimes there are various associated side effects. The Master Cleanse is a diet meant to cleanse the body of toxins while promoting weight loss. There have been an array of side...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a condition resulting in significant digestive discomfort after eating certain foods. The symptoms range from mild to extreme abdominal pain, cramping or bloating and constipation or diarrhea. Nearly 20 percent...
Laxatives help to flush stubborn stools out of the body to relieve constipation. However, laxative drugs have a powerful affect on digestion and can cause problems if taken in large doses. Effects include dehydration and mineral loss. The...
If you are having difficulty passing fecal matter or if you're not having a bowel movement at least three times per week, you may be experiencing constipation. Unlike other bodily malfunctions, constipation is not a disease but a symptom of either...
Laxatives in small and infrequent amounts may help regulate your bowel movements and should not damage your kidneys or other organs, according to MayoClinic.com. If you use laxatives to lose weight, take them frequently or in high doses, you could...
You may notice castor oil listed as an ingredient in weight loss supplements or so-called diet teas and wonder if you should include castor oil in your diet strategy. The short answer: probably not. Unless your tight clothes are associated with...
Kankunis Herbal Slimming Tea from Diamond Laboratories Inc. contains senna, shiu sen tea and malvae, according to the product label. The Diamond Laboratories official website mentions that Kankunis Herbal Slimming Tea is recommended for relieving...
Illness, changes in diet or a poor diet, and certain medications can lead to constipation. Difficulty defecating can be painful. Some people experience constipation rarely, while others have chronic constipation. Laxatives can alleviate...
Potassium is an essential mineral for normal function of the human body. Specifically, potassium is necessary for normal function of nerve, muscle and heart cells. Normal potassium is between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, MayoClinic.com...
Created by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s, the Master Cleanse Diet, sometimes referred to as The Lemonade Diet, was a detoxification for your digestive system and internal organs. The Master Cleanse centers around drinking blended cocktails of...
Detoxification regimens may be good for the economy -- money spent on herbal products to clean your liver, bowels and kidneys reached $28 million in 2005, according to a market research company called Spins. But they may not be healthy for you....
Constipation is one of most common gastrointestinal problems in the United States and is particularly common following childbirth or surgery. It is always best for breastfeeding mothers to try to relieve constipation naturally through diet and...
Bulimia is the common name for an eating disorder known as bulimia nervosa. People who have bulimia are obsessed with their weight; they are desperate to lose weight and fearful of gaining weight. They are preoccupied with and unhappy with the...
Psyllium husk is derived from the Plantago ovata plant. Since psyllium husk naturally contains dietary fiber, it is used in several fiber and laxative supplements to treat constipation and promote bowel regularity, notes MedlinePlus. It can also...
Magnesium citrate is a liquid medication usually reserved for cleaning out the bowels when you're preparing for a gastrointestinal procedure such as a colonoscopy. Milder versions of the remedy also are helpful for relieving constipation. It...
Every cell in your body uses magnesium, with the mineral present in more than 300 known chemical reaction --- producing energy, metabolizing carbohydrates and fats, synthesizing protein, flushing ammonia from the body, and binding calcium to your...
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative which can be purchased over-the-counter, without a prescription. Magnesium citrate helps relieve constipation by drawing water into the small intestines, usually causing a bowel movement within 30 minutes to...
Many drugs and supplements are more soluble in fat or oil than in water. Low water solubility may slow the uptake of the drugs in your intestines, or cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach. Uptake and comfort can be increased if the drugs are...
Models often have to lose weight quickly to accommodate a client's photo shoot. However, the rapid weight loss methods used by most models are unhealthy. Living a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and exercise program is the best way...
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder wherein prolonged periods of self-starvation are followed by binge eating and purging. Learn about bulimia nervosa in this eating disorder video.
