How to choose the right laxatives.

In the pharmacy laxatives are sold without a prescription, there are a lot of them, and any pharmacist will offer a choice of several options. If they are applied once, then nothing terrible in this, in general, no. It is worse if constipation occurs regularly. Here you need to understand, look for the cause and treat it, temporarily easing the condition with laxatives, because they do not treat, but only eliminate the symptoms. Long-term use of them can cause serious damage to health.

It is believed that if the chair was not for two days, then this is constipation, and you need to select laxatives. In principle, constipation is a fairly common phenomenon. It is enough to miss the usual time of bowel movement, to overexpose, and constipation is provided. This often happens on trips, for example. According to Russian statistics, constipation occurs in 40% of people. Women and those who lead a sedentary life suffer more often. Constipation arising for independent reasons (trip, operation, etc.), are not a disease, and usually pass by themselves, or just a single dose, can be plant-based.

Regular constipation can be the result of a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, stomach and colon disease, or anus. There are constipations of a neurological nature (with stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, with spinal cord injuries). To delay the stool may affect diabetes, virtually any endocrine diseases. Even prolonged depression can lead to constipation. That is why the first thing you need to find and eliminate the cause.

Depending on the cause of constipation, laxatives of one of the three groups are used, on which they can be conditionally divided according to the mechanism of action on the intestine.

Chemical irritants. These include some herbal preparations, such as hay leaves, buckthorn bark, rhubarb root, etc., as well as synthetic medicines: phenolphthalein, isafenin, castor oil can also be listed here.

Mechanical stimuli. These include saline laxatives that mechanically affect the walls of the intestinal mucosa, while diluting the contents of the intestine and increasing its volume.

Softeners. This, usually, almond, olive oil, which softens the intestinal mass and facilitates its passage through the intestinal tract.

It is also possible to conditionally share laxatives according to the strength of the effect.

Relaxing (the weakest group). These are burnt magnesia, sulfur, laminaride, vaseline oil and others. These drugs do not lead to diarrhea, but simply help to normally empty the intestines.

Laxatives. These are plant hay, rhubarb, buckthorn, medicinal preparations - isazenin, castor oil, bisacodyl. To the same group can be attributed common laxative teas (teas for weight loss in particular).

Carious. This group includes salt preparations, which lead to a liquid stool, causing bubbling in the intestine and increased peristalsis.

Usually, the last group is used when there is a need to quickly empty the intestine (with poisoning, before surgery or some examinations). Laxatives for constipation (acute and chronic) - is, as a rule, drugs from the first two groups.

Do not forget that there are conditions when laxatives are categorically contraindicated, it is primarily intestinal obstruction, any inflammation in the peritoneum (appendix, for example). It is not recommended to take them also with fever, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Thus, it is not possible to name the best laxative, because in each case, various drugs may be preferred. It is better not to be limited to the advice of a pharmacist, but to consult a doctor if constipation appears with some periodicity.