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Doctor insights on: Laxative

Helsp your: Boowels to move if you are constipated. ...Read more

Yes!: Laxatives should only be taken under doctor supervision. Some directly irritate your colon to contract to remove stool and can lead to depending on them for a bowel movement. Others work by removing water from your body & put it into your colon to "flush" the stool out. Both can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance if taken improperly. See your dr if you are having constipation. ...Read more

A Chinese medicine: Practitioner might provide you with a formula (small pills) called cholinex (niu huang jie du). The main ingredient is rhubarb and many report that it works well for them. Peace and good health. ...Read more

Not recommended: If you have to use laxatives on a regular basis you should see your doctor for alternative treatments as your colon can become laxative dependant. ...Read more

Change your diet and: Fluids. Eat a high fiber diet between 20-25 grams per day, regular meal times and drink 80-100 oz of caffeine free alcohol free fluids daily. If you exercise and should add 20 oz per 30 minutes of strenuous exercise. Some meds contribute to constipation so take the meds with full glass of fluid instead of a sip in addition to the above recommended fluids. ...Read more

Not very effective: For most people, although it works for some. Amount of liquid or coconut pult to be effective varies considerably. Doesn't work at all for some & may cause diarrhea with small amount in others. Probably ok if u want something mild. Senna is also natural and much more effective. Have you considered prunes or prune juice? ...Read more

Some chillies, maybe: There are a lot of different types of chillies, from quite mild to extremely spicy. There is a wide range of reaction to the chillies. So the only possible answer is maybe. ...Read more

Miralax (polyethylene glycol): Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is an over the counter stool softener which can be mixed with water or juice. Follow the dilution directions on the bottle exactly, as most stool softeners and fiber supplements will only work as they are intended if they are ingested with appropriate fluid amounts. ...Read more

Take care: I am a big fan of herbal medicines, but use during pregnancy is complicated by lack of safety data and lack of control over the product. I actually favor use of magnesium tabs. A safe and effective smooth muscle relaxant, they work great at bedtime (400-800mg- start low to avoid cramps or diarrhea) for everything from constipation to restless legs to leg cramps! ...Read more

Laxative dependency: Your colon may be hooked on laxatives. Ur doc can help u wake your colon back up. ...Read more

Wouldn't chance it!: Uncertain--i can find no exact references in pubmed re: ingestion of baby oil. Nevertheless, there are well characterized syndromes associated with aspiration of toxic oils with resulting pneumonitis, as well as in the 1990's an eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with toxic-oil intake, diffuse fasciitis, & eosinophilia. Don't take a chance! Still in doubt, call the poison control center. ...Read more

Yes: These are common side effects of laxatives. If this does not resolve over the next day or two you will need to see your doctor. ...Read more

SideEffects of abuse: "irritant" purgatives cause: melanosis coli (reversible pigmenting of colon lining), cathartic colon ("floppy" colon with limited muscle tone), & soap or chemical colitis (acute inflammation within hours of "cleansing" enema). Abusers get chronic diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, edema, nausea/vomiting, muscle weakness, bone pain, lassitude, kidney stones, skin changes, kidney disease, dehydration. ...Read more

Not necessary: Intestinal tract normally cleans itself. Many people require laxatives or stool softners if bowels can not be regulated by diet alone. Various so called spa treatments, bowel "cleansing treatments" & high colonics etc. Vary from unnecessary to somewhat fraudulent. They only truly benefit those receiving payment. Don't ask the provider about benefits, they are biased & have mortgage payments. ...Read more

Less than 24 hrs: Should be a short lived side effect. ...Read more

Further review: You stated your symptoms have been going on for only three months. Have you changed your diet or eating habits considerably? If not, need to evaluate the lower GI tract to see what has changed. You could have anything form an absorption problem to a parasitic tapeworm blocking your bowels. Rec. That you see a doc to evaluate for colon blockage from mass or parasite and motility problems, . ...Read more

Within 24 hours: Usually a laxative works within a few hours it depends on the laxative and the type Most are out of the system within 24 hours and some within a few hours. It is possible to have results up to 48 hours after but again 24 hours is common ...Read more

Yes: The 2 should not interact.

May cause GI symptom: Garcinia is a fruit extract marketed as a weight loss supplement. High doses of garcinia may act as a laxative. Be careful of excess nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when taking both meds as these are potential side effects observed in both. ...Read more

Yes: However, am concerned about combination of valium and percocet. Both are sedating and can mix in a deadly cocktail. Very worrisome.
Percocet is the cause of constipation--any way to cut back or talk to doctor about alternative pain control measures? Increase fluids, fiber, consider MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) which is gentle and effective too. Dulcolax tends to cause cramping; less so with miralax (polyethylene glycol). ...Read more

Possibly: Laxatives will not cause a miscarriage directly but the ongoing malnutrition that can follow can put the futus in danger of loss or malformation. ...Read more

Generally I am: Not in favor of chronic laxative use. A hi fiber diet along with 80-100 oz of caffeine free/alcohol free fluid per day usually corrects the problem. You are approaching the age for colon screening and if the above doesn't work for you after trying for 2 weeks minimum, you may be a candidate for a colonoscopy even at age 46 or at least an evaluation. Tlk with a colon and rectal surgeon or GI doctor. ...Read more

Med tx: If you have overdosed on any medication, including laxatives, seek medical attention. ...Read more

Yes: It will give you severe diarrhea and abdominal cramping. You will need to keep well hydrated. If symptoms are severs and you are getting dehydrated go to er. ...Read more

There is no "Best": Being "regular" is very important. There is no single solution for everyone. Adequate hydration (plenty of fluids), fiber, and stimulation of the colon will usually solve the problem. Magnesium helps many people. You can't "od" on magnesium, because it will cause diarrhea. Usually, 500-1, 500 mg will get you moving. Some people can handle more. Prunes are also a good stimulant. ...Read more

Some chillies, maybe: There are a lot of different types of chillies, from quite mild to extremely spicy. There is a wide range of reaction to the chillies. So the only possible answer is maybe. ...Read more

Helsp your: Boowels to move if you are constipated. ...Read more

Not very: They can cause cramping and diarrhea - if so - then stop. ...Read more

No...: ...Only tincture of time will.

Laxative: I would argue that the mildest laxative is either drinking plenty of water or eating plenty of fresh fruits. Daily use of laxatives is not recommended without the oversight of a physician. Fiber supplements and low-dose of MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) powder are two other "mild" alternatives. ...Read more