How does saline laxative work

Stimulant laxatives cause the muscles of your bowels to contract. This allows stool to pass more readily through your bowels. The active ingredients of stimulant laxatives can include senna, bisacodyl, and sodium picosulphate.

Find a stimulant laxative for purchase here. Once inserted, the medication dissolves and enters the bloodstream. Depending on the active ingredient, suppositories can work to either soften the stool or to stimulate the muscles of your bowels in order to better ease movement of stool.

The active ingredients bisacodyl and glycerol can be given as suppositories to treat constipation. Buy suppositories here. There are some risks that you should be aware of when you use laxatives. These can include:.

Be sure to read labels carefully when selecting a laxative. Some medications, such as antibiotics and heart medications, can interact in a negative way with laxatives.

You should always be sure to use laxatives in moderation. If you find that you have to use laxatives often to have a bowel movement, you should visit your doctor to discuss your concerns. Most laxatives are safe to take while breastfeeding, however you should still talk to your doctor before using them.

There are a variety of laxatives available to treat constipation. Some laxatives are better for short-term treatment of constipation while others are more ideal for treating long-term or chronic constipation. Increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Fiber helps to improve bowel function. Be sure to get enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Here are 22 high-fiber foods you should eat. You should aim for 8 glasses of water per day while avoiding things such as caffeine and alcohol.

Here are 16 reasons to drink more water. Making sure that you exercise regularly can help stool to move more effectively through your bowels. For example, a product may contain both a stool softener and a stimulant laxative. In general, combination products may be more likely to cause side effects because of the multiple ingredients. In addition, they may not offer any advantage over products containing only one type of laxative.

If you are taking a combination laxative, make certain you know the proper use and precautions for each of the different ingredients. Laxatives are to be used to provide short-term relief only, unless otherwise directed by a doctor. A proper diet containing roughage whole grain breads and cereals, bran, fruit, and green, leafy vegetables , with 6 to 8 full glasses 8 ounces each of liquids each day, and daily exercise are most important in maintaining healthy bowel function.

Also, for individuals who have problems with constipation, foods such as pastries, puddings, sugar, candy, cake, and cheese may make the constipation worse. Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.

Some laxatives have large amounts of sodium or sugars in them. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Laxatives should not be given to young children up to 6 years of age unless prescribed by their doctor.

Since children usually cannot describe their symptoms very well, they should be checked by a doctor before being given a laxative. The child may have a condition that needs other treatment. If so, laxatives will not help, and may even cause unwanted effects or make the condition worse.

Mineral oil should not be given to young children up to 6 years of age because a form of pneumonia may be caused by the inhalation of oil droplets into the lungs. Also, bisacodyl tablets should not be given to children up to 6 years of age because if chewed they may cause stomach irritation. Mineral oil should not be taken by bedridden elderly persons because a form of pneumonia may be caused by the inhalation of oil droplets into the lungs. Also, stimulant laxatives e. Polyethylene glycol should be discontinued if diarrhea occurs, especially in elderly persons in nursing homes.

Although laxatives are often used during pregnancy, some types are better than others. Stool softeners emollient laxatives and bulk-forming laxatives are probably used most often. If you are using a laxative during pregnancy, remember that:. Laxatives containing cascara and danthron may pass into the breast milk. Although the amount of laxative in the milk is generally thought to be too small to cause problems in the baby, your doctor should be told if you plan to use such laxatives.

Some side effects are temporary, while others may be severe enough to warrant a change in medication. Misusing laxatives, such as taking laxatives for extended periods, may cause severe and potentially dangerous symptoms. Allergic reactions are also possible with all laxatives. Anyone who is having an allergic reaction or is unsure about their reaction should stop using the laxative and call their doctor. Importantly, laxatives may interact with other drugs a person is taking.

People with constipation who take other drugs should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any laxative. Occasional constipation is normal.

Both stool softeners and other laxatives may provide temporary relief from symptoms, and the choice between them may depend on how quickly a person needs relief. People may experience side effects or complications from taking certain laxatives.

Anyone experiencing side effects that last more than a few days should contact their doctor to find out the cause. Olive oil has long been used as a simple treatment for constipation. Learn more about this home remedy that gets stools moving again, and how to use…. Epsom salt is a widely available home remedy for many ailments, including constipation. A person can use Epsom salt as a laxative by mixing it with…. Many people use magnesium citrate to relieve occasional constipation.

Magnesium citrate is a laxative that works by softening the stool, which makes…. Laxatives occasionally taken for constipation can help people have bowel movements. They work in several different ways, which we explain here….

Differences between stool softeners and other laxatives. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Overview Best constipation relief methods Which laxatives work fastest? Natural stool softeners Side effects Outlook We include products we think are useful for our readers. What are stool softeners and laxatives? Saline laxatives are essentially salts in liquid; they rapidly empty all the contents of the bowel and are not intended for long-term use or for pregnant women.

These generally work within 30 minutes to 3 hours. Lactulose laxatives are a sugar-like agent that work similarly to the saline laxatives but at a much slower rate and are sometimes used to treat chronic constipation.

Often they will have an effect in 6 hours, but can take up to 2 days. Lactulose comes in a liquid form taken orally and several manufacturers make it. Polymer laxatives consist of large molecules that cause the stool to hold and retain water. They are usually non-gritty, tasteless and are well-tolerated for occasional constipation. Results can be expected within 6 hours, but it can take longer depending on the dose.

Glycerine is available as a suppository and mainly has a hyperosmotic effect but it may also have a stimulant effect from the sodium stearate used in the preparation.

Glycerine is available as a laxative through several manufacturers. An enema may be preferred occasionally to relieve severe constipation or to empty the bowel prior to surgery. This method involves insertion of liquid, usually water or hyperosmolar salt solution, described above, which acts as a mechanical stimulant and osmotic, into the rectum via the anus. You can purchase prepared enemas, an enema bulb, or fountain syringe at your local pharmacy to use for this sole purpose.

Typically, after holding the liquid in place for a few minutes, there is an intense urgency to move the bowels. An enema may cause uncomfortable bloating and cramping; however, it usually leads to urgent elimination of the contents of the rectum and colon, doing away with constipation. Physicians and other healthcare providers associated with the GI Society do not recommend the use of colonic irrigation.

In fact, these procedures could negatively affect the natural pH balance of the colon, cause electrolyte imbalances, upset the natural bacterial and yeast milieu necessary for good digestion, and could even cause permanent physical damage to the bowel.