If you have tried adding fiber, drinking more fluids, and increasing your activity , and you are still constipated, there are many constipation remedies that are available over-the-counter. These include laxatives, stool softeners, lubricants, and tap water enemas.
Here is what you need to know about laxatives:. The benefit of laxatives is that you can purchase them without a doctor's prescription and they are generally safe and effective.
Laxatives may help prevent constipation caused by some drugs or prevent straining to have a bowel movement, which might be dangerous for some people. Laxatives can be useful constipation remedies, but they are not a substitute for eating enough fiber, getting regular exercise, and drinking plenty of fluid.
Other ways to avoid constipation are to never ignore the urge to have a bowel movement, set aside regular times of the day for a bowel movement, and avoid foods that are high in fats and sugar.
If you are having trouble with constipation, talk to your doctor about what type of laxative might be best for you. Never ignore symptoms of blood in your stools or dark, tarry stools.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Over-the-counter laxatives for constipation: Use with caution. Products and services. Over-the-counter laxatives for constipation: Use with caution Laxatives can help relieve and prevent constipation.
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Over-the-counter laxatives. Journal of the American Medical Association. Accessed Jan. Constipation and defecation problems. American Gastroenterological Association.
Wald A. Management of chronic constipation in adults. Laxative oral route. Micromedex 2. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. This is because these laxatives can cause dehydration.
Never take more than the recommended dose of laxatives because this can be harmful and cause troublesome side effects see below. Ideally, laxatives should only be used occasionally and for short periods of time. Stop taking a laxative when your constipation improves. After taking a laxative, to help stop constipation returning you can make certain lifestyle changes, such as drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly and including more fibre in your diet. These types of measures are a better way of preventing constipation than excessive use of laxatives.
See your GP for advice if you're often constipated, despite making appropriate lifestyle changes, or if your constipation hasn't improved after taking laxatives for more than a week. Don't get into the habit of taking laxatives every day to ease your constipation because this can be harmful. In some cases, you may be prescribed a laxative to use regularly, but this should always be supervised by your GP or a gastroenterologist a specialist in digestive conditions.
Like most medications, laxatives can cause side effects. They're usually mild and should pass once you stop taking the medication. The side effects you may experience will depend on the specific medication you're taking, but common side effects of most laxatives include:. Contact your GP for advice if you experience any particularly troublesome or persistent side effects while taking laxatives. Excessive or prolonged use of laxatives can also cause diarrhoea , intestinal obstruction where the bowel becomes blocked by large, dry stools and unbalanced levels of salts and minerals in your body.
It's often possible to improve constipation without having to use laxatives. Before trying laxatives, it may help to make a number of lifestyle changes, such as:. Read more about preventing constipation.
These situations don't usually mean you can't use laxatives, but certain types of laxative may be more suitable for you than others. Laxatives aren't recommended for babies who haven't been weaned. If your baby is constipated, try giving them extra water in between feeds. Gently massaging their tummy and moving their legs in a cycling motion may also help.
Babies who are eating solid foods may be able to use laxatives, but you should first make sure your baby drinks plenty of water or diluted fruit juice and increase the amount of fibre in their diet.
If they're still constipated, your GP may prescribe or recommend a laxative.
0コメント