Laxatives as diet
Your doctor will also encourage you to take adequate time for moving your bowels and not to suppress the urge to have a bowel movement. Still, 85% of doctor visits for constipation result in a prescription for a laxative. Except for fiber or bulking agents, over-the-counter laxatives should be avoided. Most cases of constipation respond to conservative treatment, such as dietary and exercise changes or mild laxatives. Fiber is also available over the counter in Metamucil, Citrucel, Fiber-Lax, Benefiber, Equilactin, and Fibercon. Tired of being constipated and think you might need a laxative. Over a longer period, mineral oil can absorb fat-soluble vitamins from the intestine, and decrease certain prescription drugs from being fully absorbed into the body. Though using a suppository or enema in the rectum is not as convenient (or pleasant) as swallowing a pill, these manually inserted (or squirted) laxatives often work much faster to relieve symptoms. As the name implies, lubricant laxatives make stools slippery. For stubborn constipation in older children or adults, the doctor may recommend a non-digestible sugar called lactulose or specially formulated electrolyte solutions. Colon Cancer on the Rise Among Young Adults. Colon Cancer on the Rise Among Young Adults. Video: Cancer Takes a Toll on a Small Town. People who increase their fiber may abruptly suffer abdominal cramping, bloating, or gas. Though highly effective, lubricant laxatives are best used as a short-term cure for constipation. Laxatives contain chemicals that help increase stool motility, bulk, and frequency -- thus relieving temporary constipation.
Fiber is the laxative most doctors recommend for normal and slow-transit constipation. Sleep Loss Tied to Changes in Gut Bacteria. Fiber is naturally available in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (especially wheat bran). Your doctor will probably start treatment by recommending more fiber or bulk in your diet. Sleep Loss Tied to Changes in Gut Bacteria. Asprin: The Wonder Drug in Your Medicine Cabinet. But when misused or overused, they can cause problems, including chronic constipation. He or she may also take a blood sample and examine your colon with a sigmoidoscope or a colonoscope, a flexible tube with a video camera that is inserted into the rectum. Video: Cancer Takes a Toll on a Small Town. During a physical exam, the doctor will check your abdomen for any sign of a hardened mass and may conduct a rectal exam. Fiber works by increasing the water content and bulk of the stool, which helps to move it quickly through the colon. Increasing exercise is also important if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. Abdominal cramping, bloating, or gas can occur when abruptly increasing or changing your dietary fiber intake. Each type of laxative has specific benefits and possible side effects. Millions of Americans suffer with symptoms of constipation. Asprin: The Wonder Drug in Your Medicine Cabinet. You might also need a barium enema, which coats the intestinal lining so it can be seen on an X-ray.
