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The Primer on Constipation Products and Relief

By Kristin Gabriel

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 28Apr2010 Word count: 734 Viewed: 285 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

We all know that constipation can make our lives miserable from time to time. However did you know that it is possible to not just reduce constipation, but to eliminate it completely. There are many natural and effective ways to relieve constipation and improve the digestive system.

So many poeple have taken numerous constipation relief products with little effect. The many treatments for constipation include: dietary fiber, emollient laxatives, lubricant laxatives, herbs, hyperosmolar, stimulant or Saline laxatives, senna, enemas, and the latest, called electrical pacing.

Then there is fiber, and the best way of adding fiber to the diet is increasing the quantity of fruits and vegetables that are eaten. It requires a minimum of five servings of fruits or vegetables every day. This amount of fruits and vegetables that are necessary may be too large or may not provide adequate relief from constipation, so fiber supplements can be useful.

Defined as material made by plants that is not digested by the human gastrointestinal tract, fiber is one of the mainstays in the treatment of constipation. There are a cariety of types of fiber within the intestine bind to water and keep the water within the intestine. Fiber adds bulk, or volume, to the stool and the water softens it.

Different sources of fiber are categorized by the source - including fruits and vegetables, oat bran, wheat, psyllium seed or synthetic methyl cellulose or polycarbophil and extract of malt. Fiber basically causes gas, or flatulence, which often occurs because the bacteria normally inside the colon are capable of digesting fiber to a small extent, and bacteria produce gas as a byproduct of their digestion of the fiber.

Due to concerns about obstruction, persons with adhesions from previous surgery or narrowing of their intestines should not use fiber unless it has been discussed with a medical provider.

And there is yet another type of laxative that is known as a lubricant which contain mineral oil - plain oil or an emulsion of that oil. It resides within the intestine and typically coats the stool, preventing the removal of water which results in softer stools. Only short term use is recommended because oil can absorb fat-soluble vitamins from the intestines and may lead to deficiencies if it is used for too long.

Stimulant laxatives which cause the muscles of the small intestine and colon to propel their contents faster, plus these also increase the amount of water in the stool. This happens by reducing the absorption of the water in the colon or by causing active water secretion in the small intestines. Stool softeners, otherwise known as emollient laxatives contain a compound called docusate, which is a wetting agent that improves the ability of water within the colon to penetrate and mix with stool in order to soften it.

Stool softeners can be used in the long-term treatment of constipation. This can take a week or more to work. Whereas emollient laxatives are commonly used to soften the stool temporarily for individuals with hemorrhoids and even after surgery or childbirth.

There are also saline laxatives that that work within a few hours to help soften the stool, containing non-absorbable ions including magnesium, sulfate, phosphate, citrate, magnesium hydroxide, and/or sodium phosphate. The ions remain, causing water to be drawn into the colon. Magnesium also stimulates the colonic muscles. Magnesium-containing laxatives are partially absorbed from the intestine and into the body, and then eliminated from the body by the kidneys. Saline laxatives should not be used regularly.

Stimulant laxatives contain cascara, or castor oil, senna and aloe, and they are usually effective, but they can cause severe diarrhea. This results in dehydration and loss of electrolytes. They often cause intestinal cramping, and there are concerns that chronic use of stimulant laxatives may damage the colon.

By distending the rectum with an enema the colon contracts and eliminates stool. Some enemas also have saline which causes water to be drawn into the colon. Phosphate enemas stimulate the muscles in the colon, while mineral oil or emollient enemas lubricate and soften hard stools. Enemas are only meant to be used occasionally.

Last, there is an experimental method known as electrical pacing of the colon which relieves constipation by using electrodes implanted into the colon's muscular wall.

In summary, look for constipation relief products that create overall body balance and stimulate body's innate healing ability to eliminate constipation completely.

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