Question 1

i am having a fissure and am taking castophene which easens my stool movement drmatically. is it fine to consume this medicine on alternate days and for how long? is it habit forming and does phenolphthalein have adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

: Please ask your treating doctor to evaluate your condition and the medicaments that you are using.  This condition needs to be managed professionally.

Question 2

does inhaling the odor of cat litter, especially while cleaning the litterbox have any adverse effects on health over time? since toxoplasmosis gondii can be present in cat feces what would happen if you inhale the odor of feces everyday?

Accepted Answer

: The odor won't affect your health and you won't inhale this parasite's oocysts in feces but you may contract toxoplasmosis with contaminated hands so use gloves or wash your hands well after handling the litter box. Most people infected with the parasite do not have symptoms and we only concern about children, pregnant women or people with impaired immune system.

Question 3

what can i do about infrequent small, hard--and incomplete-- bowel movements? i am a 66 year-old healthy woman who very rarely has a normal bowel movement. i eat a good balanced diet and take extra fiber supplements; i have tried stool softeners which onl

Accepted Answer

On : On the surface this sounds like irritable bowel syndrome (ibs).  This is a benign condition but the unfortunate thing is that ibs can mimic a lot of other bowel problems including diverticular disease and other lesions like colon cancer.  Even without bleeding cancer is always possible in someone that has not been screened.  There are treatments for ibs but before those treatments are tried anyone over age 50 should have colonoscopy as a screen for colon cancer.  You can then embark on other therapies once you know there is nothing wrong in the colon itself.  I recommend you see a gastroenterologist near you.

Question 4

side effects from stool softener and lactulose?

Accepted Answer

Better BM's: It would seem you dr is trying to help make your bowel movements less hard.I agree with this approach.Add fiber from foods like whole grain cereals and fruits and veggies.

Question 5

what side effects could i get from stool softener and laxative addiction?

Accepted Answer

Laxative abuse: Some are electrolyte imbalances, with effects on brain, heart, kidneys and other vital organs.

Question 6

what are the side effects of docusate sodium stool softener?

Accepted Answer

GI mostly: Can cause diarrhea, cramps, elctrolyte (blood chemistry) abnormalities, rarely rash or throat irritation.

Question 7

what does stool softener actually do?

Accepted Answer

Helps moisten stool: They cause stool to retain more water and thus be softer in consistency.

Question 8

what is the best stool softener to take?

Accepted Answer

Docusate: Docusate sodium. However the optimal dose varies from person to person. The over the counter dose is 50 mg and you may need to take it twice a day or maybe 2 tablets twice daily.
Psyllium is a natural fiber that come in powder and acts as a softener if you take it with 8 ozs of water everyday. Make sure you take it 2 hours away from your medications.

Question 9

well i want to take stool softener because of my weight?

Accepted Answer

Stool softener: let's do so if not is only required if you're constipated and has nothing whatsoever to do with your weight

Question 10

what's the diffrence between a laxative and a stool softener?

Accepted Answer

Good question: A stool softener causes bulk to the stools and pulls liquid from the walls of the colon to aid in making the stools earier to pass.  A laxative irritates or changes the physiologic function of the bowel to cause it to increase its contractions and expel stool.

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Doctor answers about:

Womens stool softener adverse effects

A member asked:

I am having a fissure and am taking castophene which easens my stool movement drmatically. is it fine to consume this medicine on alternate days and for how long? is it habit forming and does phenolphthalein have adverse effects?

A member asked:

Does inhaling the odor of cat litter, especially while cleaning the litterbox have any adverse effects on health over time? since toxoplasmosis gondii can be present in cat feces what would happen if you inhale the odor of feces everyday?

A member asked:

What can i do about infrequent small, hard--and incomplete-- bowel movements? i am a 66 year-old healthy woman who very rarely has a normal bowel movement. i eat a good balanced diet and take extra fiber supplements; i have tried stool softeners which onl

A member asked:

Side effects from stool softener and lactulose?

A member asked:

What side effects could i get from stool softener and laxative addiction?

A member asked:

What are the side effects of docusate sodium stool softener?

A member asked:

What does stool softener actually do?

A member asked:

What is the best stool softener to take?

A member asked:

Well i want to take stool softener because of my weight?

A member asked:

What's the diffrence between a laxative and a stool softener?

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