Are you not “going” as often as you should, and because of that you’re feeling bloated and uncomfortable? You’re not alone. A lot of Aussies deal with constipation on a regular basis.
It’s considered constipation when you have fewer than three bowel movements in a week, and your stools are hard, dry and small, which make them painful and difficult to pass. Constipation can be the result of the foods you eat, your lifestyle choice, or a medication you take. Common symptoms include fewer than three bowel movements per week, difficulty or pain when passing stools, hard, dry, or lumpy stools, a feeling that not all stool has passed.
Drinking more water, eating more fibre and exercising more, are some effective natural ways to help relieve constipation. If the problem continues despite these changes, your next choice may be a laxative. Laxatives are a type of medicine formulated to aid constipation. Nowadays, you can see pharmacies offering laxatives Australia wide in several different types, each working in a particular way. Based on how they work, they can be categorized into bulk-forming, stimulants, osmotic agents and stool softeners.
Bulk-Forming Agents
This type of laxative is a fibre supplement. It works by trapping water in the stool, hence increasing stool weight and improving stool consistency. Common types of bulk-forming laxatives Australia pharmacies offer include psyllium and bran. They are often recommended for individuals who don’t consume enough fibre in their diet. Generally available in powder form, some can be gritty and vicious when mixed into a beverage. Bulk-forming agents tend to cause gas and bloating, which is the result of partial fermentation of the dietary fibre. Proper fluid intake is necessary for this type of laxative to work. Keep in mind that lack of water may enhance bloating.
Stimulant Laxatives
Stimulant laxatives stimulate the nerves in your colon, causing the muscles of the intestinal wall to contract and helping to push stool along.
Effective for relieving occasional constipation, this action can in some cases, cause harsh side effects such as cramping and sudden urgency. The most common types of stimulant laxatives are senna and bisacodyl.
Osmotic Agents
Osmotic agents include polyethylene glycol (PEG), lactulose and magnesium. These substances attract and retain water in the colon to easy and enhance stool passage. Of these agents, PEG has the best clinical evidence to increase stool frequency and softness in individuals with constipation. It works naturally with the water in your body to hydrate, soften and unblock your system without causing harsh gastrointestinal side effects.
Stool Softeners
As the name suggests, stool softeners moisten and soften the stool, making it easier to pass. Docusate sodium is a common stool softener. Although stool softeners work well for individuals with hard stools, they aren’t much effective for constipation relief. Stool softeners are often recommended for only moderate use.
Understand that laxatives should be used to treat constipation only if lifestyle changes fail to resolve constipation or if you have a medical condition that may be exacerbated by straining. You also need to make sure that you’re actually constipated and that your constipation is not due to an underlying, undiagnosed condition. Experts explain that people’s habits vary and it doesn’t mean that you’re constipated if you don’t pass a bowel motion every day. Furthermore, laxatives shouldn’t be used long-term (unless under medical supervision) because they can lead to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.
Some people mistakenly believe that taking laxatives will help them lose weight. What they don’t know is that the temporary weight loss they may experience from taking the laxatives is actually due to water loss. In other words, laxatives don’t reduce body fat or promote long-term weight loss – there are other effective tools that can assist with weight loss.
What Are the Side Effects of a Laxative?
Although laxatives very rarely cause serious side effects, there are some mild side effects linked with each of the different types of laxatives. The most common are cramps, flatulence, diarrhoea, bloating and feeling sick. However, most of the side effects can be reduced or even avoided by starting off on a low dose and increasing it gradually.
If you decide to take a bulk-forming laxative, you may experience an increase in flatulence and tummy bloating. This is a normal side effect and tends to go away after a few weeks as the gut becomes used to the increase in fibre. Also, keep in mind that laxatives may react with other medicines. So, make sure to inform your doctor about any medicine you may be taking, including the over-the-counter ones.
When taking laxatives, it’s essential that you drink plenty of fluid. Experts recommend drinking at least two litres of fluids per day. Osmotic laxatives tend to make a person dehydrated and if you don’t drink enough fluids while taking bulk-forming laxatives, this could cause a blockage in the gut. The stools may become dry and difficult to pass.
