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Can laxatives cause constipation?
What happens if you eat too much laxatives?
What happens if you take a laxative for a long time?
Sep 19, 2023 · Laxative abuse can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, worsen constipation, increase the risk of UTIs, and damage the organs that interact with the digestive tract. Constipation is turning into a booming business opportunity in the United States, with Americans spending hundreds of millions of dollars on laxatives each year.
Jan 26, 2024 · Laxatives can help relieve and prevent constipation. But not all laxatives are safe for long-term use. Overuse of certain laxatives may lead to dependency and decreased bowel function. By Mayo Clinic Staff. If you've ever been constipated, you may have tried nonprescription laxatives.
- How Do Stool Softeners Work?
- First Choice: Bulk-Forming Laxatives
- For Stuck Stools...
- Other Laxative Options
- Stimulant Laxatives
- When to Talk to A Doctor
Stool softenerswork by softening stools to make them easier to pass. They can be in capsule, tablet, liquid, and syrup form and are usually taken at bedtime. Be sure to take stool softeners exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Bulk-forming laxatives draw water into stool, making it softer and easier to pass. But don't expect instant gratification: these can take a half-day to several days to provide relief. They are safe to use daily. They contain various ingredients, and you may have to try more than one to find the product that helps you with minimal side effects, such...
Stool softeners add moisture to stools to make them softer and easier to pass. Mineral oil, a lubricant, helps stools "slide on by" if the stools feel stuck low in your bowels, if you have an internal tear or "fissure," or if you have pain from hemorrhoidsduring bowel movements. Don't take mineral oil at the same time as stool softeners. Take 1 tab...
If stool softeners aren't providing enough help, the osmotic laxative polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX or a generic version) is good next step. These products hold water in stool to soften it and increase bowel movements. Common side effects are gas, bloating, and nausea. Another option that works for some people is diet candies containing the sweetene...
Stimulant laxatives such as senna and bisacodyl trigger contractions in the bowels that push the stool along. But if you take stimulant laxatives too often, you could become dependent on them to have a bowel movement at all — possibly because the bowel has stopped functioning normally.
If you find yourself trying one laxative after another, see your doctor for an evaluation. Additional testing can lead to better therapy and rule out any possible serious malfunctions. And if it is just constipation, your doctor can offer other medications to you that may be more helpful than over-the-counter laxatives. Image: Wavebreakmedia/Getty ...
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Aug 28, 2018 · Severe side effects. Prevention. Takeaway. Constipation and laxatives. The parameters for constipation vary from person to person. Generally, if you have difficulty emptying your bowels and...
- Scott Frothingham
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Mar 1, 2024 · There are three types of hyperosmotic laxatives taken by mouth—the saline, the lactulose , and the polymer types: The saline type is often called "salts." They are used for rapid emptying of the lower intestine and bowel. They are not used for long-term or repeated correction of constipation.
Aug 12, 2023 · The ongoing misuse of laxatives can lead to chronic constipation, electrolyte imbalances, depression, heart problems, and an increased risk of colon cancer. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy and changes in eating habits. Learn more about excessive laxative use, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
People who increase their fiber may abruptly suffer abdominal cramping, bloating, or gas. Gradually increase fiber intake. Also, fiber can reduce your body's absorption of some drugs, so always...