It is finals week and you have been living on nothing but coffee and donuts for the last week. Now, finals are over but you soon realize that your poor diet has left you in the uncomfortable predicament of constipation. You have tried numerous natural remedies and yet still cannot find relief. Finally, you decide it may be time to reach for the over-the-counter laxative. Laxatives can be a very useful medicinal tools to relieve constipation, but, if not taken properly, they might not be effective. The following is a breakdown of the different kinds of laxatives, how they work to alleviate your bowel, and what you can do to help them work the best.
Stool softeners are laxatives that work in the small intestine to make molecules called anionic surfactants. According to the Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, anionic surfactants are molecules that work like magnets and pull water and fats into the small intestine and blend them into the stool in order to make it softer, hence the term stool softener. In order for this medication to work at its optimum, it is important to drink a lot of water.
Glass of water. Drinking a lot of water is important when taking laxatives. Source: Jocelyn Hsu
Hyperosmotic agents are usually taken as they are liquids that contain a lot of electrolytes; these liquids are often prescribed to people who are about to undergo surgery. According to the Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, hyperosmotic agents retain liquid in the colon to produce a bowel movement and efficiently clean out your intestinal tract. As with all laxatives, but especially this category, it is of utmost importance to be near a bathroom, as the need to use the restroom can arrive strongly and without warning.
Roll of toilet paper. Source: Jocelyn Hsu
Although very helpful on rare occasions of constipation, laxatives are abused by people with eating disorders according to the Journal of Psychiatric Research. The Eating Disorder National Association (EDNA) explains the types of damage that can occur in the intestines and colon of people who abuse these medications. Some examples include but are not limited to: inability to absorb nutrients, intestinal muscle paralysis, and extreme dehydration.
As you can see, laxatives can be a helpful medicinal drug, but its abuse through overuse can leave serious consequences. Hopefully with this new information, next time you need to use a laxative, you’ll know exactly how it functions inside your body and maybe consider incorporating more water and foods that naturally keep your bowel movements regular into your diet.
Feature Image Source: Cabot Health, Bristol Stool Chart
