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Constipation After Surgery
Hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are available for
constipation. Before investing in any of the over-the-counter medicine
for constipation, talk to your doctor for placing your hands on the type
of the medicine that is more appropriate for you.Medications available for constipation are:
- Laxatives and stool softeners
- Herbal and alternative products
- Non-laxative medications for chronic constipation
Laxatives and Stool Softeners:
Any laxative should be used minimally as to avoid the risk of side effects and developing diarrhea. Some certain types of laxative must not be used for an extended period of time. There are different types of laxatives to choose from.
- Bulk Laxatives
- Osmotic Laxatives
- Stimulant Laxatives
- Stool softeners
Herbal and Alternative Products:
Almost all of the herbal and alternative products for constipation are available over-the-counter. Several of them possess laxative effects. Aloe and its cousins senna and burdock, ginger, dandelion, dong guaj, flaxseed are some of the examples.
However, it should be noted that medical science does not believe in the effectiveness of herbal supplements and alternative treatments in patients with chronic constipation.
Non-Laxative Medications for Chronic Constipation:
One of the best non-laxative medicines for chronic constipation is:
Tegaserod
Tegaserod normalizes bowel movements by activating serotonin receptors in the intestinal walls, stimulating the muscles to increase peristalsis (contractions of the gut). Tegaserod, being a pro-motility agent, treats the multiple symptoms of chronic constipation: bloating, abdominal pain and constipation. It can improve stool consistency, stood frequency, and other chronic constipation symptoms in people who have less than 3 bowel movements per week.
There are some precautions associated with this medicine. Your doctor will let you know of them when he will prescribe you the medicine. Carefully listen to him and do as advised.
