Constipation medications are available in over-the-counter and prescription versions. Find out which options might work well for you. Learn why constipation is common among people with diabetes, plus how to help reduce and relieve it. Constipation can be uncomfortable and even painful. But there are several different at-home remedies to help you get relief.
Mineral oil is one remedy…. Fiber intake depends on age, gender, and sex. Find out how much fiber you need, where to get it, and the best way to increase your daily intake.
Learn what typical bowel movements should include, as well as tips to poop more…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Stool Softeners vs.
Introduction Constipation can be extremely uncomfortable, and it can affect anyone due to many different causes. Stool softeners and laxatives. Side effects and interactions. Laxative misuse. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.
Can Coconut Oil Treat Constipation? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Benefiber vs. Metamucil: Which Is Better for Me? Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Over-the-Counter and Prescription Constipation Medications. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Second, in rare cases, serious complications can result from untreated constipation. These complications can include:.
If you have concerns about your bowel habits, talk with your doctor. They can help you create a treatment plan to relieve your constipation and get back to feeling good — regularly. Constipation can have a serious effect on your quality of life. Learn how making simple changes to your schedule, adding fiber supplements to your…. Constipation can be uncomfortable and even painful. But there are several at-home remedies to try that can get your bowels moving again.
Milk of…. Here are 5 herbal remedies to ease your symptoms. While laxatives and stool softeners can help you overcome a bout of constipation, these medications come with side effects. Learn why constipation is common among people with diabetes, plus how to help reduce and relieve it. Learn what typical bowel movements should include, as well as tips to poop more….
Laxatives can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements. Learn more about natural laxatives. Citrucel powder is a type of fiber supplement used for constipation. This article explains its uses, effectiveness, and potential side effects. Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems. Learn more about the possible causes and how to treat constipation.
Kombucha is a fizzy drink that's full of health benefits, but you may want to know whether it can help relieve constipation. This article explains…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Over-the-Counter and Prescription Constipation Medications. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.
OTC medications Prescription medications Considerations Call your doctor Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers. What is constipation? Over-the-counter constipation medications.
Type Generic and brand names Forms How fast? Safe to use long-term? Available as a generic? Prescription medications for constipation. Fecal impaction should be treated with mineral oil or warm water enemas.
Most patients are initially treated with lifestyle modifications, such as scheduled toileting after meals, increased fluid intake, and increased dietary fiber intake. Additional fiber intake in the form of polycarbophil, methylcellulose, or psyllium may improve symptoms. Fiber intake should be slowly increased over several weeks to decrease adverse effects. The next step in the treatment of constipation is the use of an osmotic laxative, such as polyethylene glycol, followed by a stool softener, such as docusate sodium, and then stimulant laxatives.
Long-term use of magnesium-based laxatives should be avoided because of potential toxicity. If symptoms do not improve, a trial of linaclotide or lubiprostone may be appropriate, or the patient may be referred for further diagnostic evaluation. Peripherally acting mu-opioid antagonists are effective for opioid-induced constipation but are expensive. Enlarge Print.
Increased exercise does not improve symptoms of constipation in nursing home residents or older adults.
Polyethylene glycol Miralax is preferred over lactulose for the treatment of constipation because it is more effective and has fewer adverse effects. Linaclotide Linzess and lubiprostone Amitiza are more effective than placebo for chronic constipation.
Peripherally acting mu-opioid antagonists are more effective than placebo for chronic opioid-induced constipation. Constipation is a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms of incomplete elimination of stool, difficulty passing stool, or both.
Patients typically experience other symptoms such as hard stools, abdominal bloating, pain, and distention. Constipation may be present with normal stool frequency, defined as at least one stool three times per week, or with daily bowel movements.
Primary constipation, or functional constipation, is classified into three subtypes: normal transit constipation, slow transit constipation, and disorders of defecation. Often, more than one subtype occurs simultaneously. Patients report hard stool or difficulty with defecation, but have normal stool frequency.
In older adults, rectal receptors may have a diminished response to stretching, blunting the urge to defecate despite accumulation of large quantities of stool. Causes of secondary constipation include medication use, chronic disease processes, and psychosocial issues. Clinicians should discuss goals of treatment with patients and caregivers. The primary goal should be symptom improvement, and the secondary goal should be the passage of soft, formed stool without straining at least three times per week.
Fecal impaction is suggested by a history of constipation with overflow diarrhea, and is confirmed by rectal examination with a plain abdominal radiograph, if needed. To take advantage of the gastrocolic reflex, patients should schedule toileting after meals. Patients in long-term care facilities should be allowed adequate time and privacy for bowel movements, and should avoid using bedpans to defecate.
Exercise programs do not improve symptoms of constipation in nursing home residents and older adults 8 — 10 ; however, lifestyle education, including exercise and advice on increasing fluid and fiber intake, decreased constipation in one small study. There are no randomized controlled trials RCTs evaluating the benefit of water supplementation alone to treat constipation, although water supplementation totaling 1. The recommended daily fiber intake is 20 to 35 g per day.
Intake should be slowly increased over several weeks to decrease adverse effects, including flatulence, abdominal cramping, and bloating. Biofeedback to retrain the defecation muscles may be effective for treating constipation caused by pelvic floor dysfunction. With this technique, anorectal electromyography or a manometry catheter is used to give patients feedback when evacuating a rectal balloon. One systematic review concluded that there is insufficient evidence from high-quality trials to support the effectiveness of biofeedback.
Most older adults with chronic constipation eventually require a laxative to alleviate symptoms. A systematic review of laxative treatment in older persons showed varying degrees of effectiveness and concluded that therapy should be individualized.
Medications for constipation are listed in Table 1. In patients with a poor response to behavioral interventions and laxatives, referral may be warranted for assessment of colonic transit times and for rectal manometry to evaluate for disorders of defecation.
None compared with placebo Increase in magnesium, causing lethargy, hypotension, respiratory depression Minimal adverse effects of cramping and gas Bloating, cramping, and nausea Information from references 16 through Enemas and suppositories can be useful for fecal impaction or in patients who cannot tolerate oral preparations.
Phosphate enemas should be avoided in older adults because of the high risk of electrolyte disturbances, which are sometimes fatal. Plain warm water enemas are safe and preferable to soapsuds enemas, which may cause rectal mucosa damage. Bulking agents may be soluble, such as psyllium Metamucil , or insoluble, such as bran, methylcellulose Citrucel , and polycarbophil Fibercon.
These agents absorb water into the intestine to soften the stool and increase bulk. Bran and psyllium improve stool frequency in older patients, 18 but there is more evidence for the effectiveness of psyllium than bran in persons of all ages.
Osmotic laxatives are not absorbable. These laxatives draw water into the intestinal lumen. Lactulose and sorbitol are hyperosmolar sugar alcohols that increase frequency of defecation and reduce straining.
They are metabolized by colonic bacteria and then absorbed by colonic mucosa. Electrolytes — which include calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sodium — regulate a number of body functions.
An electrolyte imbalance can cause abnormal heart rhythms, weakness, confusion and seizures. Some products combine different types of laxatives, such as a stimulant and a stool softener. But combination products don't necessarily work more effectively than single-ingredient products. In addition, they may be more likely to cause side effects. A single-ingredient laxative may work better for you. Read labels to make sure you know what you're taking, and use with caution.
If you've recently given birth, consult your doctor before using laxatives. Although they're usually safe to use during breast-feeding, some ingredients may pass into breast milk and cause diarrhea in nursing infants.
If you're dependent on laxatives to have a bowel movement, ask your doctor for suggestions on how to gradually withdraw from them and restore your colon's natural ability to contract. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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