If you've ever experienced the discomfort of constipation, perhaps while traveling or after a change in your diet, you may have considered laxatives. Older people, especially if they're frail or have many chronic diseases, may also be prone to constipation and often need regular medication such as laxatives to help keep the bowels moving. This article will help you to learn more about laxatives.
What are Laxatives?
Laxatives (or purgatives) are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation that may result from too little roughage in the diet, too little water, inactivity, anxiety, or even certain medications. They stimulate the intestines, causing the body to eliminate waste. You can take oral laxatives in many different forms like liquids, tablets, gums, or powders that you dissolve in water.
How do they work?
Laxatives work in different ways, and the effectiveness of each laxative type varies from person to person:
- Bulk-forming laxatives: They add bulk and water to your stools. The larger stools help trigger the bowel to contract and move the stools out.
- Lubricant laxatives: They work by coating the surface of the stools. This helps the stools hold water so they move out of the body more easily.
- Stool softeners: They help mix fluid into stools to soften them. This makes stools easier to pass out of the body.
- Stimulant laxatives: They are the harshest laxatives. They cause the bowel to squeeze or contract to move the stools out. Stimulant laxatives should generally be used only when your doctor recommends them.
What are the different natural laxatives?
- Isabgol (blond psyllium): It is ideal for vata people who frequently suffer from dry constipation.
- Rose leaves: Very mild and good for constipation resulting from stress and anxiety.
- A combination of amla, harar and bahera (triphala): A moderate level laxative and a very good source of vitamin C. Good for people with kapha constitution and for people with acidity and diabetes.
- Crushed Senna pods: Senna is a strong laxative. It is used in ayurvedic and allopathic preparations.
- Castor oil: It was used in olden times but was discontinued due to being unpalatable and messy.
- Allopathic laxatives: Very strong and to be taken only when prescribed by the doctor. Long term usage is harmful.
What are the Side effects?
Most laxatives don't have side effects if you use them correctly. Sometimes they can cause cramping, gas, bloating, nausea or diarrhea. Stimulant laxatives are most likely to cause side effects. These can include abdominal discomfort, faintness and cramps. With bulk-forming laxatives, you may notice some bloating, gas or cramping at first. This is more likely if you take too much or increase the amount you're using too quickly. These symptoms should go away in a few weeks or less.
Some Cautions
- Prolonged use of laxatives can be harmful. They should only be used for a short time.
- Some people, particularly those with eating disorders, abuse laxatives to make themselves thin. This can be extremely dangerous as it can damage the bowel and lead to an imbalance of essential chemicals in the body.
- Persistent changes in bowel habits can be an early symptom of a disease, particularly in the middle aged or elderly.
Are there other ways to treat constipation?
Rather than going to laxatives, increase the amount of natural bulk in your diet, which acts as a bulk-forming laxative. Bulk, which usually comes from plant fiber, isn't absorbed by the gut, but soaks up water as it passes through the intestines. As it swells, it adds soft volume to the faeces, which helps to send signals to the bowel to empty.
Eat more foods that promote normal bowel movements. The healthiest dietary approach to promoting normal bowel function is to eat more whole-grain breads, cereals, crackers and wheat bran or foods with wheat bran added. This dietary approach should be done in tandem with drinking more fluids. Vegetables and fruits also contribute to normal bowel function.
Occasional help from a laxative is normally safe in healthy people; however, prolonged consumptions may cause problems.
Nice information.You can include some more tips .
Natural laxatives for children : 1.Purnes are notorious for relieving constipation – boil purnes to soften skin for small children . 2.Flax seed –boil 2 tbsp of flax seeds in 2 cups of water & mix with milk. There is no side effects but make sure if you have allergic to this better avoid. Give them more fluids in the form of juices , soups,etc.