What treatments are available for constipation?
• Stimulant laxatives, such as senna and bisacodol, increase the speed at which the contents move through the bowel. These can come in oral or suppository form. Senna is found in products such as Senokot, whereas bisacodyl is found in products such as Dulcolax tablets or Dulcolax suppositories. • Osmotic laxatives such as lactulose and magnesium hydroxide work by preventing too much water from being drawn away from the bowel, and thus softening the stools. Lactulose is found in Duphalac; magnesium hydroxide is contained in mil-par and milk of magnesia. • Docusate sodium, found in products such as Dulcoease, is a stool-softening agent which works by a surfactant action, breaking up stools and allowing them to be passed. • Glycerin suppositories have a direct softening effect. • Bulk-forming laxatives include bran, isphagula husk, methylcellulose and sterculia. These work by adding bulk to the stools, thus making them softer and easier to pass. This type of product is often recommended f
