Stool Softeners vs. Laxatives

介绍

便秘can be extremely uncomfortable, and it can affect anyone due to many different causes. There are also many types of over-the-counter laxatives, so choosing the right one may seem a little tricky. How does each type work? How is each used? What’s the difference between a stool softener and a laxative? Let us help you sort some of this out.

Stool softeners and laxatives

First of all, let’s sort out the difference between stool softeners and laxatives. A laxative is a substance that you use to help you have a bowel movement. A stool softener is a type of laxative, called an emollient laxative. So, all stool softeners are laxatives, but not all laxatives are stool softeners.

In fact, there are many types of laxatives. Because many different things can cause constipation, laxatives work in different ways to resolve your constipation. Some work on your stool, some work on your intestine, and others work on both your stool and intestine. All laxatives are used to relieve constipation. Some may be a better choice for you than others, though, especially depending on how long you need to use them and how harsh the ingredients can be on your body.

Emollient laxative (also known as a stool softener)

Active ingredients:Docusate Sodium and Docusate Calcium

How it works:It helps wet and soften the stool.

使用的考虑：Stool softeners are gentle enough to prevent constipation with regular use. However, they’re the least effective option for treating constipation. They’re best for people with temporary constipation or mild, chronic constipation.

Find a selection of emollient laxatives here.

Bulk-forming laxative

Active ingredients:psyllium，甲基纤维素和钙多碳纤维

How it works:It forms a gel in your stool that helps hold more water in your stool. The stool becomes bigger, which stimulates movement in your intestine to help pass the stool more quickly.

使用的考虑：Bulk-forming laxatives can be used for longer periods and with little risk of side effects. They’re a good option for people withchronic constipation. However, they take longer than other laxatives to work. You shouldn’t use them continuously for longer than one week without talking to your doctor.

Find a selection of bulk-forming laxatives here.

Lubricant laxative

活性成分:mineral oil

How it works:它覆盖了您的凳子和肠子，以防止水分流失。它还可以润滑您的凳子，以帮助它更容易移动。

使用的考虑：Mineral oil is not for use on a regular basis. It can interfere with your body’s absorption offat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Lubricant laxatives are typically only good options for immediate relief of short-term constipation.

Find a selection of lubricant laxatives here.

Hyperosmotic laxative

Active ingredients:polyethylene glycol and glycerin

How it works:It draws more water into your intestines. This helps soften the stool to help it move more easily.

使用的考虑：Hyperosmotic laxatives can also be used for longer periods with little risk of side effects. Like bulk-forming laxatives, they’re a good option for people with chronic constipation and they take longer than other laxatives to work. You shouldn’t use them continuously for longer than one week without talking to your doctor.

Find a selection of hyperosmotic laxatives here.

盐水泻药

Active ingredients:magnesium citrate and magnesium hydroxide

How it works:它将更多的水吸入肠道。这会软化凳子并刺激肠道中的运动，以帮助您通过它。

使用的考虑：盐水泻药不应定期使用。定期使用时，它们可能导致dehydration和电解质失衡.

Find a selection of saline laxatives here.

Stimulant laxative

Active ingredients:Bisacodyl和Sennosides

How it works:It stimulates and increases the movement of your intestines.

使用的考虑：Stimulant laxatives also should not be used on a regular basis. When used regularly, they can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

在这里找到一系列刺激性泻药。

形式

Laxatives come in many different forms. Some are used by mouth and some are used in your rectum.

Stool softeners are available as:

• oral softgel capsules
• 口服液体s
• 直肠灌肠s

Other laxatives come in these forms:

• oral capsule
• chewable tablet
• oral tablet
• oral granules (powder)
• 口服软糖
• 口服液体
• oral wafer
• rectal suppository
• 直肠灌肠

Timing

Emollient, bulk-forming, hyperosmotic, and saline (magnesium hydroxide) laxatives typically take 12 to 72 hours to work. Stimulant laxatives take six to 12 hours. Saline (magnesium citrate solution) laxatives work a little more quickly, taking 30 minutes to six hours.

Regardless of which type of laxative you use, rectal enemas and suppositories usually work the fastest. They usually take two to 15 minutes, but in some cases have taken up to an hour to work.

Dosage

Dosages for laxatives vary, even among laxatives of the same type. You shouldn’t need to use a laxative for longer than a week, though. If your bowel movements still aren’t regular after using a laxative for seven days, contact your doctor before you use it any longer.

通常，泻药对12岁以上的人安全。有些产品为年龄在12岁以下的儿童提供剂量，但是您应该在给儿童提供任何泻药之前与医生交谈。

副作用和互动

副作用

Most people can use laxatives without any side effects, but some side effects are possible. The following table lists some of the milder as well as the more serious side effects of stool softeners and other laxatives. The more serious side effects are usually much less common. If you do have serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Laxative misuse

You may have heard that you can use laxatives to lose weight. However, there are no studies that support the use of laxatives for weight loss. Further, using higher doses of laxatives for long periods can result in a much higher risk of the following effects, some of which can be severe:

• muscle cramps
• irregular heartbeat
• 您的钙，镁，钠和钾的水平变化，这会影响体内许多器官的功能
• excess water loss
• 心脏病
• kidney disease
• digestive diseases, such as:
  • intestinal blockage
  • Crohn’s disease
  • 溃疡性结肠炎
  • appendicitis
  • 胃部炎症
  • anal prolapse
  • hemorrhoids

Pharmacist’s advice

与任何泻药,有事情你可以做help them work their best. The following tips can help you work with your laxative to relieve constipation and keep you regular.

• Drink 8-10 cups of water per day.
• Try not to skip meals.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables to increase thefiber在你的饮食中。
• Exercise to help keep all of your body systems active.