What are the types of Laxatives ?
Bulk forming laxatives: they absorb water in the bowel thereby increasing the volume of the faecal matter and making it softer and easier to pass. They are slow acting and less likely to interfere with normal bowel action as compared to other laxatives. They may cause intestinal obstruction and hence should be taken after consultation by people suffering from constipation with abdominal pain e.g., Ispaghulla, methylcellulose. Stimulant Laxatives: they cause the bowl muscle to contract, increasing the speed with which faecal matter passes through the intestine. They are fast acting and used only when other treatments have failed. They may cause abdominal cramps and diarrhoea and should normally not be used for more than a week e.g., bisacodyl, docusate, senna. Lubricants: they make the bowel movement softer and easier to pass without increasing the bulk. They are used when hard bowel movements cause pain on defecation. Prolonged use should be avoided as they may form a coating which int
