April 20, 2012. Paul Hixon
credit: wallygrom (very busy at work)When people mention constipation almost everyone will know that the person is struggling when using the toilet. Constipation can be avoided however it is surprising how common the problem is.
Some assume there is a digestive problem and it may just sort itself out over time or that taking over the counter natural remedies for constipation will instantly solve the problem.
There are many products available to help relax your constipation and in this article I will cover some of these.
There is a wide selection of over the counter solutions for constipation. Laxatives are a type of medicine that is used to help you pass waste. There are many types of this which can help you in different ways.
Bulking agents add a sufficient amount of fiber to the diet. They take action in the small and large intestine and take anywhere from 12-72 hours to take effect. They are relatively weak compared to other types as they tend to make the body retain a little more waste and then produce a form of lubricant to help move the waste along.
Stool Softeners are very similar to Bulking agents, they take effect in the same regions and the same time period however they utilize fats and addition water to move the waste.
Lubricants and Emollient take place in the colon. Emollient is also the substance produced and used with bulking agents. These like any lubricant make the stool slippery to allow waste to slide through much easier.
There are two forms of hydrating agents – Saline and hyper-osmotic. Being hydrated means having enough water in the body and this is where the hydrating name comes from. These types of agents take action very quickly and take part in the small intestine, large intestine and colon. They keep water in the system to help stimulate digestion and put pressure on the intestine. Hyper-osmotic agents also irritate the bowel; this is sometimes used to prepare for surgery.
Laxatives are one of the preferred constipation remedies and due to the variety of choice users can select on how bad the problem is or how fast they wish to remove the pain,
Updated April 20, 2012. Published August 31, 2011. Paul Hixon
