The Rush To Relieve: Laxatives And Bathroom Emergencies

Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They work by softening stools or stimulating the bowels to get moving so you can pass them. While they are available over the counter, they are not suitable for everyone and can cause side effects such as dehydration, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps. They should not be taken daily or for long periods of time as this can lead to laxative dependence and worsening constipation. Instead, it is recommended to try lifestyle changes such as increasing fibre intake, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising regularly to relieve constipation.

Laxatives are a type of medicine that can treat constipation

Laxatives work by softening stools or stimulating the bowels to get moving. They are available without a prescription, but it's important to take them as directed to prevent side effects like bloating, gas, or stomach cramps. They should only be used occasionally and for up to a week at a time. If your constipation hasn't improved after a week, you should speak to a doctor.

There are several types of laxatives, including:

• Bulk-forming laxatives: These increase the weight of the stool, stimulating the bowel. They are considered the gentlest type and are usually recommended as the first option. They include products like Fybogel, Metamucil, and FiberCon.
• Osmotic laxatives: These draw water from the body into the bowel, softening the stool and making it easier to pass. They include products like Movicol, MiraLAX, and Milk of Magnesia.
• Stool softener laxatives: These add moisture to the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. They include products like Colace.
• Lubricant laxatives: These coat the colon, making it slick and preventing the absorption of water from the stool. They include products like mineral oil.
• Stimulant laxatives: These activate the nerves that control the muscles in the colon, forcing it to move the stool along. They include products like Dulcolax and Fletcher's Laxative.

Laxatives come in different forms, such as pills, powders, liquids, suppositories, and enemas. It's important to follow the instructions on the medication to ensure safe and effective use.

They are available over the counter and on prescription

Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They are available over the counter and on prescription. You can buy them without a prescription in pharmacies, grocery stores, and online. They may be labelled as laxatives, stool softeners, or fibre supplements.

Laxatives are often used if lifestyle changes, such as increasing the amount of fibre in your diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking regular exercise, have not helped with constipation. They are usually taken as a short-term solution and should not be used for longer than a week unless a doctor recommends it.

If over-the-counter laxatives are not working for you, or if you have a long-term condition that causes constipation, you may need a prescription laxative. Chronic constipation associated with a condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or the use of opioids may require a prescription laxative.

It is important to take laxatives exactly as directed to prevent side effects, such as bloating, gas, or stomach cramps. Overuse of laxatives can lead to dehydration, mineral imbalances, organ damage, and laxative dependency. They can also mask underlying conditions that are causing constipation, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider if you are considering taking laxatives or if they are not providing relief.

They work by softening stools or stimulating the bowels

Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They work by softening stools or stimulating the bowels to get moving so you can pass stools.

Bulk-forming laxatives

Bulk-forming laxatives work by increasing the "bulk" or weight of the stool, which in turn stimulates the bowel. They do this by drawing water into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. They are generally considered the gentlest type of laxative and are often recommended as the first option to try. They can take anywhere from half a day to three days to work.

Osmotic laxatives

Osmotic laxatives draw water from the rest of the body into the bowel to soften the stool and make it easier to pass. They also stimulate the muscles that line the gut, helping to move the stool along. These laxatives usually take two to three days to work, although some types can act more quickly, from 30 minutes to six hours.

Stool softener laxatives

Stool softeners increase the water and fat that the stool absorbs, softening it and making it easier to pass. They are usually taken at bedtime and can be in capsule, tablet, liquid, or syrup form.

Lubricant laxatives

Lubricant laxatives coat the colon, making it slick. This prevents the colon from absorbing water from the stool, so it stays soft. The coating also makes for a slippery passage that makes passing stools easier. Lubricant laxatives include mineral oil.

There are different types of laxatives, including bulk-forming, osmotic, stool softeners, lubricants, and stimulants

Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They are available over the counter and on prescription. While they can be effective, they are not suitable for everyone, and it's important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking them.

Bulk-Forming Laxatives

Bulk-forming laxatives are often recommended as the first option to treat constipation. They work by increasing the weight and size of stools, which stimulates the colon to contract and push out the stool. These laxatives contain soluble fibre, which draws water from the body into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Examples of bulk-forming laxatives include psyllium (Metamucil®), polycarbophil (FiberCon®), and methylcellulose (Citrucel®). They are considered gentle and are less likely to cause side effects. However, they can take a few days to provide relief.

Osmotic Laxatives

Osmotic laxatives, such as polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX®) and lactulose (Duphalac®), draw water from other parts of the body into the colon. This process softens the stool, making it easier to pass. They typically take 2 to 3 days to work. Osmotic laxatives can also include saline laxatives, which contain salt that holds water in the colon.

Stool Softener Laxatives

Stool softeners, also known as emollient laxatives, work by increasing the water and fat absorbed by the stool, making it softer. An example of a stool softener is docusate (Colace®).

Lubricant Laxatives

Lubricant laxatives, like mineral oil, coat the colon, making it slippery. This coating prevents the colon from absorbing water from the stool, keeping it soft and making it easier to pass.

Stimulant Laxatives

Stimulant laxatives, such as bisacodyl (Dulcolax®) and senna (Fletcher's® Laxative), activate the nerves that control the muscles in the colon, forcing it into motion to move the stool along. They are typically recommended if other over-the-counter options haven't been effective.

It's important to remember that laxatives should not be the first option for relieving constipation. Lifestyle changes, such as increasing fibre intake, drinking more fluids, and exercising regularly, are usually the best initial approach. If these changes don't help, then laxatives may be considered under medical advice.

They should only be used occasionally and for short periods

Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They work by softening stools or stimulating the bowels to get moving. They are available over the counter in pharmacies and supermarkets, and on prescription from a doctor.

Laxatives should only be used occasionally and for short periods. They are not a long-term solution to constipation and can cause unpleasant side effects if used too frequently or for too long. For example, overuse of laxatives can lead to:

• Dehydration, which can cause dizziness, headaches, and dark-coloured urine.
• Diarrhoea.
• Bowel blockage caused by large, dry stools.
• Unbalanced salt and mineral levels in the body.
• Dependence on laxatives for bowel movements.
• Worsening of constipation.

In addition, laxatives can delay diagnosis and treatment of any underlying conditions causing constipation. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor if constipation persists despite lifestyle changes and short-term use of laxatives.

To prevent constipation, it is recommended to:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Exercise regularly.
• Include more fibre in the diet.

Frequently asked questions