Laxative vs. Stool softener?
If you must use something, stool softeners are the things to use. Never take laxatives unless absolutely necessary as they can become habit forming. The best thing to do is increase your fiber and raw fruits and veggies. Drink juice with pulp, orange juice and tomato juice has pulp also grape juice is good as is apple juice. Apples and oranges are good for fiber not to mention certain fiber cereals. Drink lots of fluids, especially water, it helps the feces from becoming hard in the colon.
What would be better a stool softener or laxative? And what kind?
I had an appendectomy (the removal of the appendix) on Saturday and I haven't pooped since the day before the surgery, it hurts to just push out gas and I tried going but it's even more painful, I was wondering whether I should take a laxative or stool softener to help me go to the bathroom without much pain, any help?
What would happen if you take a stool softener and a laxative together?
This is actually a common medical combination with docusate (stool softener) combined with Senna (purgative) in Laxsol tablets.2 of these at night will usually result in a good bowel motion the next day though they are more effective if taken regularly. Some people need to be dosed twice daily and may even need additional laxatives. Take them for too long though and you can develop melanosis coli (a brown pigmentation of the inside of the colon) and become dependent on them for your bowels to work.Explosive action is unlikely!Generally this is used in adults. Older people have more problems with bowels not working and this is exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle. Opiate painkillers also make constipation more likely and this medication is commonly co-prescribed as a preventative measure.
Can I take probiotics while on Colace ( stool softener ) and Miralax ( Laxative)?
sure take what you like. You could always try eating properly - plenty of your fruit and veg the real doctors keep going on about - remember your 5-a-day. Then you don't need to waste your money on such things
Using laxatives / stool softeners to lose weight?
I know you're probably gonna get enough preaching from others, so I'm going to try to not do that. You probably already know it is bad for you. I've had a few friends who have gone this route and because its not a healthy route to go down, they end up putting back on the weight and then some. As someone else has already mentioned, it is water weight and although you might be seeing a rapid difference, all you really do dehydrate yourself. Although it may seem like a miracle, the ugly truth is once you start eating healthily and changing your habits, you're gonna realise that you don't lose as much "weight" as when you do on the laxatives, which is where some people stop eating healthily and start relying on the laxative, even taking up to 5 day, maybe even more. I'd suggest stop taking laxative, and just exercising 20 minutes a day. You'll feel fitter and won't be losing nutrient from food.
Can you take a stool softener and a laxative together?
You could take both together, but you are risking explosive diarrhea. I would start by taking the stool softener, and drinking at least 60oz of water throughout the day. Other drinks don't count: only water. If that hasn't helped after several days, then you can add a fiber laxative. The problem with taking too many things to regulate your stool is that your body will get used to them after a while. A fiber supplement is healthy for your body in other ways, so making that part of your routine won't be a bad thing for the long term, but a chemical laxative isn't something that you want to be dependent on. Good luck.
What is a fast stool softener? How is it different from a laxative?
A fast stool softener is castor oil. It works pretty well and fast
What's the difference between a stool softener and a laxative?
Laxatives are often placed in one of four categories that include: bulk forming laxatives, osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, and stool softeners or surfactant laxatives. The osmotic laxatives and especially the stimulants have strong laxative activity and can produce serious adverse effects. The bulk forming laxatives are mild laxatives with little adverse effects. The stool softeners also produce little adverse effects and are usually safe but potentially can have serious problems. Patients who use laxatives should be reminded that they are not for long term use and if not effective after one week a physician should be consulted. ScienceDirectEmollient laxatives, or stool softeners, are anionic detergents that increase the miscibility of water and lipid in digesta, thereby enhancing lipid absorption and impairing water absorption.This makes it easier for you to poop.An osmotic laxative causes water to enter the bowel. The increased bulk causes stretching of the muscle of the bowel which causes it to contract strongly, thereby expelling the contents of the colon and bowel.Excuse the analogy, but it’s a bit like Dyno-rod clearing a blocked drain by squirting high pressure water down the plug hole.You may want to check out the advise the National Health Service website gives about laxatives and their use. Laxatives
What's the difference between a laxative and a stool softener?
There are 4 types of laxatives. Bulking agents: Are fiber products meant to help you have normal bowel movements more often. Metamucil is an example. Osmotic laxatives: Are ingested and draw liquid in to make stool softer and easier to pass. Milk of magnesia is an example. Stimulant Laxatives: Help you have a bowel movement by irritating the lining of the intestines. These are not recommended for regular use. Ex-lax is an example. Stool Softener: They lubricate and soften the stool to make it pass easier. You must drink lots of water when taking these. Colace is an example.