In the 'Supplements And Medications' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about regular laxative use:
Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
GLOSSARY
Bulk Laxative (Bulk Laxatives)
These products increase fecal (bowel content) volume in order to stimulate its movement. Bulk-forming laxatives provide the closest approximation to the natural process of increasing fecal volume, and are normally the first line recommendation for functional constipation. They contain natural or semi-synthetic polysaccharides or cellulose derivatives that pass through the gastrointestinal tract undigested. Examples include wheat bran, psyllium, flax, methylcellulose, ispaghula husk, and Sterculia urens.
Fecal Lubricant (Fecal Lubricants)
An example of such a laxative is liquid paraffin, which is indigestible and absorbed only to a small extent. It penetrates and softens the feces, and coats the surface with an oil film, which facilitates its passage through the intestine. It is considered to have a usefulness as an occasional laxative in situations where straining at the stool must be avoided, but it has several drawbacks which make it unsuitable for regular use.
Fecal Softener (Fecal Softeners)
These act by lowering the surface tension of the intestinal contents, allowing fluid and fat to penetrate, emulsify and soften fecal material for easier elimination. The feces are kept soft, and evacuation is achieved without straining. An example is docusate sodium, an anionic surfactant that also exerts a stimulant laxative effect similar to that of the anthraquinones.
Laxative (Laxatives)
A substance (food, herb, chemical) that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. Examples include cascara sagrada, senna, castor oil, aloe vera, bisacodyl, phenolphthalein and many others.
Osmotic Laxative (Osmotic Laxatives)
Osmotic laxatives exert a laxative effect by drawing water into the colon and retaining fluid in the bowel or by changing the pattern of water distribution in the feces. Unlike stimulant laxatives, they are safer and non-habit-forming. The most commonly used osmotic laxatives include magnesium hydroxide ("Milk of Magnesia"), magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), sodium potassium tartrate, lactulose, glycerol and polyethylene glycol. Some are administered orally and others by enema.
Stimulant Laxative (Stimulant Laxatives)
Stimulant laxatives are believed to stimulate nerve endings in the nerve plexuses of the bowel wall, increasing the movement of its content via several mechanisms. The most common active ingredients include the Anthraquinones (Senna, Aloin, Frangula, Cascara and Powdered rhubarb) and the Diphenylmethane derivatives (Bisacodyl, Sodium picosulfate, Phenolphthalein). Traditionally-used castor oil has fallen into disuse because of its 'drastic' action and unpleasant taste.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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