Best Medicine for Constipation: Discover the Ones That Really Work!

The Best Way to Relieve Constipation

The best way to relieve constipation is a lifestyle change that includes taking fiber-rich food, increasing fluid intake, doing some moderate exercise, going to the toilet at a fixed time regularly, and not detaining the defecation. It is called first-line therapy.

If first-line therapy fails, then you should to second-line therapy which is called laxatives. But laxatives have serious long-term consequences. So, you should use them only in serious cases on a short-term basis.

How Do I Choose the Right Laxative?

In this respect, Harvard Health has provided an easy and perfect strategy. The strategy is as follows:

First Option

If you have to take laxatives to relieve constipation, the safest option is bulk-forming laxatives such as fybogel, metamuchil, Citrucel, etc.  They are otherwise called fiber supplements. These laxatives function by using water in your intestines to make the stool bulkier and softer. This bulkier stool encourages the bowel to push it out.

Drink plenty of water or other fluids while taking bulk-forming laxatives; otherwise, poo may be stuck.

Bulk-forming laxatives have some minimal side effects such as bloating and flatulence. In some cases, there may be abdominal pain.

Second Option

If fiber supplements do not provide relief, stool softeners such as docusate sodium may be used.

Stool softener works by adding moisture and fats to the poo. This helps to make the stool softer and easier to pass.

You should use stool softener in the following cases:

• • ♦ If stool becomes stuck, or
• • ♦ If you have an internal tear or annul fissure, or
• • ♦ If you have pain from hemorrhoids, or
• • ♦ If you had recently undergone surgery or had given birth.

You may also use mineral oil as stool softener. But do not use it with other stool softener at the same time.

In using mineral oil, keep in mind that you must not use it for more than several days due to the following reasons:

• • ♦ It obstructs the absorption of other nutrients,
• • ♦ In the case of inhalation, it may cause pneumonia.

It is very important to mention here that while taking stool softners, you should use a protective pad in your undergarments to avoid an embarrassing situation, because there may be leakage.

Third Option

If stool softener does not give enough relief, osmotic laxative polyethylene glycol such as MiraLAX may be a good option.

Osmotic laxatives work by drawing water into the colon, making the stool easier to pass. There may be some side effects in the use of this sort of laxative such as gas, bloating, and nausea.

Another good choice may be a magnesium laxative; such as milk of magnesia or magnesium citrate. Broadly they may fall in the category of saline osmotics. The ingredients of Saline osmotics include magnesium, sulfate, citrate, and phosphate.

But don’t use saline osmotic laxatives, if you are a patient with kidney disease or cardiovascular disease, because they may be dangerous to health.

It is pertinent mention here that osmotic laxatives should not be used on long term basis. And if you have diabetes, never use osmotic laxative without consultation of your physician, because there may be electrolyte imbalance.

Last Option

Stimulant laxatives are typically used as a last resort when other treatments have not been effective. These are the most invasive type of laxatives. They work by stimulating the muscles in the colon, which helps to move the stool along. However, they can also cause cramping and other side effects, so they should be used with caution.

Best Medicine for Constipation

Metamuchil, Citrucell, Benefiber– Bulk-forming laxatives

Colace, Dulcolax (Stimulant free)– Stool softeners

Milk of Magnesia, Miralax, Clearlax– Osmotic Laxatives

Senokot– Stimulant Laxatives

The Medicine That Give Instant Constipation Relief

The following medicines give instant constipation relief:

Dulcolax Stimulant Laxative

Milk of Magnesia

Senokot

An Innovative and Safe Formula for Constipation Relief

Recently an innovative formula has been introduced to relieve mild to chronic constipation in a safe and sustainable way with a combination of dietary fiber, a natural prebiotic blend, and magnesium citrate.

It relieves constipation in the following ways:

• • ♦ It helps to relax the muscles in the digestive tract, allowing food to move smoothly through the intestines and out of the body effortlessly.
• • ♦ It helps to speed up the transit time of stool through the intestines, resulting in more frequent and predictable bowel movements.
• • ♦ It softens and bulks up the p00, making it easier to pass without the need for straining or pushing, which can cause discomfort and pain.
• • ♦ It supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthy gut microbiome, which may result in increased energy levels and reduced occurrences of unpleasant gas.