7. Over-the-Counter of Prescription Laxatives
There are times that people need immediate relief from constipation, especially if it is already affecting their quality of life. In cases like these, over-the-counter or prescription laxatives are available and come in different preparations. Ask your pharmacist or doctor which of these suit your case best.
Bulking agents are fiber-based laxatives that help soften dry and hard stool. Since fiber is water absorbent, bulking agents pull the water that comes from drinking into the stool, making it softer and easy to pass.
Stool softeners are laxatives that contain oil. The oil not only serves to soften hard and dry stool, it also functions as a lubricant, making for easier passage through the gut.
Stimulant laxatives work on the nerves that control the walls of the gut. This type of laxative stimulates the nerves, thereby increasing the frequency of digestive contractions. Because of this, stools are pushed out faster, preventing them from accumulating and becoming stuck.
Osmotic laxatives work somewhat similarly to bulking agents except for the source of water it uses. By stimulating the surrounding tissues of the gut to secrete water into the digestive system, osmotic laxatives help moisten the dry and hard stools that have accumulated inside the gut. Once moistened, the hard stools begin to soften, making them easier to get rid of.
