Constipation
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Products to get the bowel moving |
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These laxatives are known as stimulant laxatives, because they stimulate the bowel and this helps to push stools along.
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Senokot is a popular treatment for constipation, made with natural senna. More >>>
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Ex-Lax senna chocolate is a tasty way of taking senna. More >>>
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Bioforce Linoforce is made entirely from natural and herbal ingredients. This effective laxative contains Linseed, Frangula and Senna. More >>>
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Numark Constipation Relief Tablets (Bisacodyl 5mg) - Effective overnight relief of constipation. More >>>
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Fibre and Bulk-based products |
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These products are known as bulk-forming laxatives. They use fibre to add bulk to stools and thus make them easier to pass. Fibre is the most natural method of relieving constipation and is thus ideal for those who tend to avoid medication. Because fibre is not medicine-based, fibre-based products are very safe and suitable for long-term use.
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Regulan is a fibre drink that comes in the form of sachets of powder that are added to water. More >>>
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Califig is a fig-based fibre solution. More >>>
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Fybogel is a natural fibre drink that comes in sachets. Just add water. More >>>
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Isogel is still unavailable this year (2008) due to a manufacturing problem.
For a similar product, try Ispagel. More >>>
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Ispagel contain 3.5 Ispaghula husk to help alleviate the discomfort and irregularity of constipation and diarrhoea. It is available in packs of 10 & 30 tasty orange-flavour sachets. More >>>
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Ortisan Fruit Cubes are made from a traditional recipe with figs, senna and tamarinds to help maintain regularity. More >>>
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Soluble fibre products are an easy-to-use form of fibre. More >>>
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These products are known as osmotic laxatives. These laxatives work to soften stools by preventing the bowel from re-absorbing too much water from the stools. This means that the stools are more watery and thus softer and easier to pass. More >>>
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Duphalac treats constipation using lactulose, which helps to hydrate stools. More >>>
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Mil-par is a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and liquid paraffin designed specifically to relieve constipation. More >>>
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Milk of magnesia contains magnesium hydroxide which helps to prevent the bowels from re-absorbing water in the stools. More >>>
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Though not classed as a laxative, DulcoEase can help sufferers of constipation where the stools are hard. DulcoEase softens stools and makes going to the loo less painful during bouts of constipation. More >>>
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Laxido is used to treat chronic long-term constipation and can also treat a build up in the bowel. The active ingredient, Macrogol 3350, is a laxative that makes stools softer and easier to pass. More >>>
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Bells Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate BP) - For relief of occasional constipation. More >>>
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Lactulose Solution - Gentle relief of constipation for all ages More >>>
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Bells Liquid Paraffin B.P. - For temporary relief of constipation. More >>>
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Suppositories and Enemas |
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These work directly within the bowel. In the case of suppositories, these deliver a dose of medication directly into the bowel. Enemas help flush out the bowel and are useful for cleaning and clearing the bowel before examinations.
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Care glycerin suppositories deliver a dose of glycerin directly into the bowel to soften the stools and make them easier to pass. More >>>
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Micro-enemas provide relief from constipation and clear the bowel before examinations. These are quite a drastic treatment and should generally be used under medical supervision. More >>>
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Glycerol Suppositories BP For Children - Laxative for short term treatment of constipation.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Constipation |
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What is constipation?
Constipation is the infrequent passage of stools - typically fewer than three times per week. The stools tend to be difficult to pass because they are hard and dry.
Why do stools become hard?
Stools are formed along the intestine, and start off quite watery. The colon is designed to re-absorb some of the water from the stools. However, sometimes it absorbs too much and this can lead to hard, dry stools and constipation. At the extreme end of the constipation spectrum is fecal impaction, a condition in which stools harden in the rectum and prevents the passage of any stool.
Why do I become constipated in the first place?
You can become constipated for a number of reasons. It often happens through not drinking enough water or eating enough fibre. Constipation can also happen when the digestive process is temporarily upset. This can happen, for example, after excessive drinking or when taking antibiotics that interfere with the digestive bacteria in the gut. Some long-term sufferers have problems due to an overall bacterial imbalance in the gut.
Is constipation related to any other conditions?
Constipation can also alternate with diarrhoea, whereby the colon does not re-absorb enough water. This pattern is more commonly considered as part of the condition known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A soluble fibre supplement can help to alleviate both conditions by balancing the fluid and fibre levels in the intestine.
What treatments are available for constipation?
Stimulant laxatives, such as senna and bisacodol, increase the speed at which the contents move through the bowel. These can come in oral or suppository form. Senna is found in products such as Senokot, whereas bisacodyl is found in products such as Dulcolax tablets or Dulcolax suppositories.
Osmotic laxatives such as lactulose and magnesium hydroxide work by preventing too much water from being drawn away from the bowel, and thus softening the stools. Lactulose is found in Duphalac; magnesium hydroxide is contained in mil-par and milk of magnesia.
Docusate sodium, found in products such as Dulcoease, is a stool-softening agent which works by a surfactant action, breaking up stools and allowing them to be passed. Glycerin suppositories have a direct softening effect.
Bulk-forming laxatives include bran, isphagula husk, methylcellulose and sterculia. These work by adding bulk to the stools, thus making them softer and easier to pass. This type of product is often recommended for patients with haemorrhoids or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Because these products are just fibre rather than medicine, they are quite safe and suitable for long-term use.
How can I choose between treatments?
Stimulant laxatives are powerful because they directly activate the bowel. However, they are not for those who prefer to avoid medication. Osmotic laxatives are a little milder, whereas Bulk-forming laxatives are based around fibre and provide the most natural form of relief from constipation. In addition, fibre can be used in conjunction with any of the other treatments. Fibre is very safe and suitable for long-term use.
What does Express Chemist recommend for constipation?
In the short term, constipation can be treated with stimulant laxatives such as Dulcolax, Senokot or Ex-Lax Senna. Fibre-based treatments such as Fybogel will also help. In the long term, stimulant laxatives should be avoided, and hydrating treatments such as Laxido are far safer. Again, fibre-based treatments such as Fybogel are always helpful in treating constipation in the long term.
What is the advantage of suppositories over tablets?
Suppositories get straight to work in the bowel, bypassing the need to digest tablets. This is great for people with poor digestion or other gastric problems besides constipation. However, many people find tablets far more pleasant than inserting suppositories, and suppositories can be inserted incorrectly.
What can I do to prevent Constipation?
You can help treat constipation by increasing your fluid intake and eating food that is high in fibre such as figs or prunes. In addition, exercise and movement can all help to get the digestive system moving. You can also take extra fibre in addition to your meals. Some herbal products are also believed to help digestion, including aloe vera, peppermint or artichoke. Probiotics can help where an imbalance of bacteria in the intestine is suspected.
Why is it bad to be constipated?
The extra strain on the rectum caused when passing dry stools can lead to piles. In addition, if stools are left in the bowel for long periods of time, toxins from the stools can re-enter the body. This can, in turn, lead to conditions such as acne, psoriasis, liver damage or even bowel cancer.
Content written by Brendan Fernandes, Express Chemist, Sep 2008.
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