Constipation Treatment, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Medication And Facts

Millions of Americans fight a battle daily against chronic constipation. If you are one of them you may be seriously thinking of using a laxative as your constipation relief. The enemy is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Hardened stools
• Three or fewer bowel movements in a week
• Straining during bowel movements
• Experiencing incomplete evacuation (real or imagined)

The laxatives designed to treat the symptoms are made up of chemicals that increase stool, motility, frequency and bulk. In the case of laxatives however, misuse and overuse can only serve to worsen the symptoms that laxatives are designed to remedy.

Alternatives to laxatives do exist, however. A diet that includes plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables, and as well whole-grains and cereals can improve your symptoms. Drinking as much as 2 quarts of water a day or including an equivalent amount of the right sorts of drinks also helps. Regular exercise can improve health issues that relate to constipation.

Attempting to overcome any hesitancy to move your bowels when you feel as if you should is sound advice. One has to wonder why around 80% of doctor visits for constipation conclude with the patient leaving with a newly written prescription for laxatives. At the very least an understanding of how these medications effect their changes will provide the right perspective on using them safely.

What types of laxatives are there?
There are at least five different forms of laxatives in common use. These include capsules, liquids, suppositories, pills and enemas. Later in the article we will categorize laxatives according to how they work. It’s important to remember that, like medications in general, laxatives can benefit one and cause unpleasant side effects as well. Sometimes the relative simplicity of an enema or suppository can work faster and more safely than a medicine based on a complex chemical reaction. What follows is a quick rundown of the kind of medications classified as laxatives:

Lubricants
A lubricant laxative is designed to make your stools more slippery. It adds mineral oil as a slippery layer to the walls of the intestine. Doctors consider lubricant laxatives as a suitable remedy on a short-term basis for constipation. Long-term use can cause the intestine to absorb fat soluble vitamins and decrease the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs.

Stimulant
Stimulant laxatives work very fast and very efficiently. They stimulate the lining of the intestine and this in turn accelerates the speed of a stool’s journey through the gastrointestinal system. This type of laxative also hydrates the stool. Ex-Lax, Senokot and Correctol are examples. Regular use of this type of laxative can weaken the muscles used for defecation and make one dependent on laxatives to remedy constipation. Cramping and diarrhea are also common side effects. Prunes are also sometimes classified as chronic stimulant laxatives.

Osmotic and Hyperosmolar Laxatives
Osmostic laxatives also increased the moisture level in the stool by drawing fluids into the intestine from surrounding tissue. Hydrated stools are softer and easier to pass. If you use this sort of laxatives it’s very important to drink as much water as possible. If you don’t there is a real possibility you’ll experience gas and cramping.

Stool softeners
Stool softeners (also. known as emollient laxatives ) use a chemical called ducastate to hydrate and soften the stool. The effect of this sort of laxative may take a week or a little bit longer to work. People with hemorrhoids or those who are recovering from surgery or childbirth frequently use this type of laxative.

Fiber
Certain commercial laxative products contain dietary fiber in an easily consumable form.

Whatever laxative you may decide to use, be careful not to overuse it and try to stay in touch with your doctor regarding your use of laxatives.

Colon habits differ from person to person. Many people suffer from different colon conditions. The most common is the pain caused during the process of excretion. To ease this pain or make this process pain free, stool softeners are used. The property of a stool softener is that it makes the excreta soft by making the excreta absorb and retain water. This makes the process easier and relatively pain free. But think twice before using such products as they may contain chemicals which can be armful for your health.

The most common chemicals found in these softeners are docusate sodium and docusate calcium. Docusate sodium in particular is known to take the level of toxins in drugs to a higher notch if taken simultaneously. Most of the softeners found in your nearby medical store contain these chemicals. These chemicals are harmful for the smooth functioning of the liver in the body.

Another harmful substance that can be vicious if used in combination with softeners has to be mineral oils. You do not want to absorb mineral oil into your body as it is has side effects. Usage of mineral oils in softeners can lead to the formation of tumors in the body. Such softening laxatives are very harmful for women. When mineral oil is taken in the body it is supposed to get released through the anus without affecting the other parts of the body. Unfortunately, this may not be the case sometimes as mineral oils may stick to the intestinal walls and go through it causing damage to the cells causing various health problems. They interfere with the absorption process. As a result, necessary nutrients like vitamins may not be digested leading to health complications. It can also cause pneumonia in some cases which often tends to be difficult to get rid of.

Pregnant women should take care not to consume mineral oil in any form as it poses a big health threat. It is risky for the health of the mother as well as the yet to be born baby since the absorption of nutrients and vitamins may be blocked. It may even cause bleeding in the baby if consumed in high quantities.

In addition it prevents the digestion of phosphorus and calcium along with all the necessary vitamins like vitamin D and vitamin E. This leads to several other ailments. Without doubt, mineral oil is the most harmful stool softening laxative out in the stores.

In many instances constipation can be treated without drugs using natural remedies. Ensuring that you get enough natural dietary fiber is often all that is required. Dietary fiber from grains, fruits and vegetables is an excellent addition to anyone’s diet. Supplementing additional fiber with extra amounts of water can also be an extremely successful approach.

Years ago over the counter laxatives were marketed using tag lines such as “we all need a little help now and again.” And perhaps that’s true Metamucil Citrucel and Milk of Magnesia will do what they advertise they can do in many instances. At times, however, constipation is not eased or relieved by any of the methods mentioned thus far. A visit to your family doctor to discuss prescription medication may be in order.

There are three families of drugs that are most often used to treat problem cases of constipation:

A prescription laxative called Lactulose that goes by the names Enulose, (lactulose), Cephula, Chronulac, Constulose and Duphalac works by drawing water into the bowel to soften and loosen stools. Its side effects include stomach cramps stomach upsets, diarrhea, gas and cramping.

A medication called Miralax or Glycolax (polyethylene glycol) uses osmosis to help stools retain water and stay soft. It is recommended for constipation sufferers who cannot tolerate the amount of fiber available in supplements.
Amitiza® (lubiprostone) is another medication designed to address the problems of constipation. The FDA has approved this medication specifically for treating chronic constipation resulting from causes unknown. That somewhat mysterious description applies to constipation where the cause cannot be ascribed to any particular medical condition and treatment. It is prescribed to be taken two times a day with meals. The side effects of Amitiza® can be somewhat pronounced and include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and headaches.

In many cases diet and/or drugs may not be enough of a remedy for truly chronic constipation. More success may well be achieved by a combination of prescription medications such as laxatives, dietary changes and behavioral modifications. Ideally, working and planning along with a healthcare professional like your doctor can help you improve your overall health and health habits until your constipation becomes, at the very least, less chronic or is remedied completely.

The following are some strategies that may allow you to do what you need to do without the help of any kind of medication:
1. When you feel like you need to go, go. You may be ignoring something called peristalsis of the bowel. That term describes movements that serve to trigger a bowel movement. If you resist them or ignore them constipation may result.
2. Try to establish a routine for visits to the bathroom. Your best success is likely to occur in the morning when colonic activity is at its peak.
3. Institute a daily exercise routine. Along with many other parts of your body your gastrointestinal track will work better.
4. Although exercise can reduce stress to a certain extent, you may need to use relaxation techniques to remedy constipation. Meditation or guided imagery can work in many instances.