We asked doctors to investigate whether claims about the Squatty Potty are true or false. Is there an average number of times a day you should poop, and what are some of the factors that affect frequency?
Drinking hot water is a great way to stay hydrated, and it might have extra health benefits. Learn about 10 possible benefits of drinking hot water…. Coconut oil is a common home remedy for constipation. Here's a look at how it works and how to use it. Benefiber and Metamucil are fiber supplements that fight constipation.
Learn how they compare. Constipation medications are available in over-the-counter and prescription versions. Find out which options might work well for you. Learn why constipation is common among people with diabetes, plus how to help reduce and relieve it.
Constipation can be uncomfortable and even painful. But there are several different at-home remedies to help you get relief. Mineral oil is one remedy…. Fiber intake depends on age, gender, and sex. Find out how much fiber you need, where to get it, and the best way to increase your daily intake. Learn what typical bowel movements should include, as well as tips to poop more….
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Stool Softeners vs. Introduction Constipation can be extremely uncomfortable, and it can affect anyone due to many different causes.
Stool softeners and laxatives. Side effects and interactions. Laxative misuse. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Can Coconut Oil Treat Constipation? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Benefiber vs. Metamucil: Which Is Better for Me?
Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Over-the-Counter and Prescription Constipation Medications. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. These help mix fluid into stools to soften them. This makes stools easier to pass out of the body. An example of a stool softener is docusate 1 brand name: Colace.
These cause the intestine to hold more fluid. This softens stools and helps the bowel move them out. Examples include polyethylene glycol 1 brand name: Miralax and magnesium hydroxide solution brand name: Milk of Magnesia. These are the harshest type of laxatives. They cause the bowel to squeeze or contract to move the stools out. Bisacodyl 1 brand name: Dulcolax and sennosides 1 brand name: Senokot are examples of stimulant laxatives.
Stimulant laxatives should not be used for more than a few days. When these laxatives are taken for a long time, the bowel can lose its muscle tone. It will usually go away on its own. Or you can make changes in your diet and other habits. You can prevent or treat constipation by:. You may try all of these things and still be constipated. That is when taking a laxative may help you.
Before you take an OTC laxative, read the directions on the drug facts label. This will tell you how much medicine to take and how often to take it. If you have any questions about how much medicine to take, call your family doctor or pharmacist. Keep a record of the OTC medicines you are using and when you take them. If you need to go to the doctor, take this list with you. Store all medicines out of reach and sight of young children.
Keep medicines in a cool, dry place. This will help prevent them from becoming less effective before their expiration dates. Do not store medicines in bathrooms or bathroom cabinets. They are often hot and humid. However, sometimes they can cause cramping, gas, bloating, nausea, or diarrhea. Long-term use or overuse of laxatives can cause health problems. Overusing laxatives may also hide symptoms your doctor should know about.
This could delay finding out about other health problems and starting treatment. Some people are at risk for electrolyte imbalances while taking certain laxatives. They include children and people who have diabetes or kidney disease.
Electrolytes are substances in your body. They help your nerves, organs, and muscles work properly. Taking laxatives can cause you to eliminate too many electrolytes. When this happens, you may have side effects. If the conservative route doesn't work, Dr. Wolf recommends the osmotic laxative MiraLAX or a generic version. These 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 sweetener sorbitol. These essentially trigger a mild case of the runs. You may experience bloating and gas along with the laxative effect, however. Another option would be a magnesium-based laxative, such as milk of magnesia or magnesium citrate. These are members of a larger class of laxatives called saline osmotics, which draw water into the bowels and trigger bowel movements.
The active ingredients include magnesium, sulfate, citrate, and phosphate. But don't take more than the recommended amounts of these laxatives, or use them long-term, because they can throw off your chemistry. Combined with an underperforming kidney or heart failure, saline osmotic laxatives can be dangerous. Stimulant laxatives such as bisacodyl and cascara trigger contractions in the bowels that push the stool along.
The first choice she recommends is a senna-based stimulant laxative. 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 is not functioning normally.
If you find yourself trying one laxative after another for long periods, see your doctor for an evaluation. Additional testing can lead to better therapy and rule out any possible serious malfunctions. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.
Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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