Laxatives are medication used to relieve constipation and smoothen bowel movements by loosening stool. They come in different forms, from pills, capsules, liquids, gums and even enemas and take anywhere between 12 hours to a few days to work.
Although they don’t have any serious side effects, laxative abuse may still be lifethreatening so it’s recommended to use them only when necessary and in moderation. Laxatives directly affect your bowels and the digestive system after consumption. Here’s what laxatives do to your body.
The Science behind Laxatives
There are different kinds of laxatives and they all function in different ways to affect your digestive system and body.
Bulk-Forming Laxatives
They increase the bulk of your stool in a similar way that a fiber-intensive diet does. They are rich in fiber and work to stimulate your gut to squeeze feces out of the body. Fiber is usually indigestible and stays in your gut, only passing out with the excretion of stool from your digestive system.
Osmotic Laxatives
Osmotic laxatives increase the fluid in the large bowel through the process of osmosis. This ensures that a smaller amount of fluid is absorbed into the bloodstream. The extra fluid fills the bowels and softens the stool. The fluids also cause contractions in the walls of the stomach which allow for the feces to pass through.
Stimulant Laxatives
These are probably the quickest type of laxatives and effective for people who want faster results. They work by stimulating the nerves in the large bowel. This leads tothose muscles squeezing harder than normal and results in the stoolbeing pushed out of the body quickly and efficiently.
Stool Softeners
Stool softeners are often known as emollient laxatives and work by lubricating the stool. They do this by adding a compound that absorbs the water. They reduce the surface tension of stool and add a liquid compound to wet or soften it. They are gentle with mild effects compared to other forms of laxatives. Their main function is to soften stool, making it easy to pass through. They are optimal for people suffering from mild or chronic constipation.
Over-the-Counter Laxatives
Laxatives are the fastest and most efficient way to cure your constipation at home. You can consult a physician about choosing the right laxative for your condition. We recommend HealthA2Z'S over-the-counter stool softener capsules to treat your chronic constipation.
HealthA2Z is an OTC online pharmaceutical store that sells fast acting laxatives and laxative tablets. Our supplements are made in an FDA-registered facility.
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