Bulk Forming Drugstore Laxatives

There are five basic types of drugstore laxatives you should be aware of. Some of these laxatives can be dangerous to use. In addition, some of these laxatives are combinations of these five types, which are designed to create an effective constipation product. In making this combination, a product is created that can be even more dangerous to your health.

The five types of drugstore laxatives are:

* Bulk Forming Laxatives ? (clears constipation in 1-3 days)

* Stool Softening Laxatives ? Emollients ? (works in 1-4 days)

* Lubricant Laxatives ? (works in 5- 9 hours)

* Osmotic or Saline Chemical Laxatives ? (works 1- 3 hours)

* Stimulant Laxatives ? (works in 6 ? 24 hours)

If you are going to use any of these laxatives keep in mind they will work faster when you take them on an empty stomach. Use them only for the time necessary to get relief from constipation.

Once you have cleared your constipation, look for a more natural way to keep regular. Start by eating more fruits and vegetables to get more minerals and fiber.

Bulk Forming Laxatives

Bulking laxatives are the safest laxative to use and can be use longer than other types of laxatives. These laxatives contain fiber or fiber like products. However, it is best to get your fiber from food since food has a balance of all nutrients your body needs.

These laxatives work by making your stools larger and heavier and help attract and trap water into their fiber structure. This stimulates your colon to have a bowel movement. Using laxatives that contain fiber is a natural way to stimulate your colon into action.

Bulking products or food can be used for mild cases of constipation. Use them with plenty of water so the bulking material does not expand in your throat or cause a back up in your colon. Using an excess of bulking products daily can cause the problem you are trying to eliminate - constipation.

Natural bulking agents are karagy, guar, agar, and psyllium seed. Some semi-synthetic bulking agents are methylcellulose or carboxy-methyl cellulose, which I do not recommend.

Some bulk forming laxatives you will find in the drugstore are:

* Citrucel ? contains methylcellulose (not recommended)

* Fiberall ? contains psyllium seeds

* Fibercon ? contains Calcium Polycarbophil (not recommended)

* Hydrocil ? contains psyllium seeds

* Metamucil ? contains psyllium husks

* Perdiem Fiber ? contains senna

* Ultrafiber ? contains psyllium seeds and prunes

Some bulk forming laxatives contain excess sugar and sodium. Read the label for these items, if you have high blood pressure or are diabetic.

If you are pregnant, using bulk forming laxatives may be the safest way to relieve your constipation, but look for natural fiber food products. These natural products are discussed in other articles that I have written. Avoid using any other type of laxative since the chemicals they contain can get into the fetus or, when breast-feeding, the breast milk.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid e-books. He writes a newsletter called natural-remedies-thatwork.com and his information on other topics can be seen at http://www.stop-constipation.com

---

Antibiotics and Bowel Flora

The word Antibiotic is constructed from Greek words anti, which means "against" and bios, meaning "life", is a phrase used to describe an antibacterial substance made from... Read More

Accutane Side Effects Lawyer: Hair Loss, Depression, Suicide

You probably know the drug isotretinoin by its trade name, accutane. Accutane is a powerful drug often used to treat acne. Unlike other acne treatments, which are... Read More

Cholesterol Treatments Options: Statins

Satins are pharmacuetical drugs that work by restricting the enzyme HMG CoA reductase. This is an enzyme which regulates how fast a rate cholesterol is produced in... Read More

Back Pain & Muscle Pain - Effective & Natural Pain Treatment Alternatives

Pain and Stress. They seem almost to go hand in hand - not only in their negative connotation, but also in their biological causes and triggers. Back... Read More

Powerful Arthritis Pain Relief For All Of Us

When you ask what arthritis is, professinals will tell you it's inflammation of one or more joints. But you know it better as pain, swelling, stiffness, deformity,... Read More

Celebrex Side Effects Lawsuit Lawyer

The Food and Drug administration urges people to stop taking Celebrex, but even so the drug has remained on the market. Recent studies have found that Celebrex... Read More

An Introduction to Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, afflicts millions of people. Many suffer from an occasional bout with heartburn, but acid reflux disease,... Read More

Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness

As a physician specializing in psychiatry, I know that many emotional conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders are true medical illnesses with a biologic (physical) origin.... Read More

Jet Lag Pills ? Panacea or Placebo Effect?

We live in an age that demands an instant cure for every conceivable ailment under the sun and so it's no surprise that jet lag has joined... Read More

195,000 Die Annually From Hospital Mistakes

It just seemed too absurd to be true, but there it was in the August 2, 2004 edition of Newsweek I picked up the other day: "According... Read More

Cetyl Myristoleate for Arthrtis: Science or Speculation

There are a lot of fabulous stories about Cetyl Myristoleate (also known as CMO or CM) floating across the Internet. Mine is one of them. There have... Read More

Bextra and Vioxx -- Alternative Medications Have Warnings, Too

At the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, the drugs Vioxx and Bextra have both been voluntarily withdrawn from the market by their manufacturers. Studies show... Read More

Quitting Smoking: Planning To Succeed With Zyban!

Step One: The Big DecisionOne of the most frustrating things about deciding to quit smoking can be people's reactions: "Well, it's about time!" or "It was a... Read More

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe and deadly allergic reaction to certain drugs, some proscription and some over the counter, which causes the severe burning of... Read More

Comfortable, Affordable Lab Coats for the Health Care Professional

When a health care professional uses lab coats it conveys several different messages. First, lab coats give an appearance of professionalism. It's very important in the health... Read More

Generic Medicines

Generic DrugsGeneric Online Pharmacies started making a big impact on the net since the mid to late 90's. This has allowed the prescription drug buyer to save... Read More

Medical Billing Specialist

As Pres. Bush was touring the Midwest, shortly before he was re-elected as President, and even after, he spoke of medical reform centering on liability costs. He... Read More

Bextra and Vioxx Withdrawal Spawn Advertising Pause from Bristol Myers

Pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb has announced that they will suspend direct-to-consumer advertising for their prescription drug products for a year. This comes in the wake of... Read More

The Neurological Exam: Evaluating the Master Organ

How does a mind contemplate itself? That's a philosophical question I'll leave to minds smarter than mine, but what I can tell you is how to examine... Read More

Online Pharmacies Are Becoming Increasingly Popular Due To Their Convenience And Discreetness

Leading online pharmacy companies are providing consumer with a secure, safe, convenient, and discreet way to acquire prescriptions.People in need of prescriptions are turning to the internet... Read More

Fifteen Ways to Fight Heel Pain

There are many different causes of heel pain, but the most common cause is plantar fasciitis (plan * tar fash* ee * I * tis). If you... Read More

Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers - Take An Informed Decision

Alcohol rehabilitation centers in the United States offer a wide range of treatment programmes for your recovery from alcoholism.They provide services such as detoxification, residential treatment, day... Read More

ADHD - Are there Treatment Options?

As an ADD coach I am often asked about the treatment options available for Attention Deficit Disorder. Generally when someone says "ADD" the first thing that will... Read More

Top Five FAQs About Nail Fungus

What is nail fungus?Nail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is an organism which digests the keratin found in your fingernails and toenails. The fingernail and toenail are... Read More

Hypothermia - The Cold Facts

If you ever go to cold countries, you should undoubtedly have heard of Hypothermia. If you haven't, you should learn something about it. Your very own life... Read More

An Introduction to Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition, but in some ways it is still a mystery. There are many different theories about what causes the... Read More