Choosing an Effective Constipation Medicine

constipation medicine

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When someone says they’re ‘regular’, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re an everyday average Joe or Jane. Being regular can also mean that you have bowel movements ‘regularly’ and that you don’t struggle with constipation. So right there is a definition of constipation for anyone who’s not familiar with it - you’re not able to go to bathroom regularly and easily like you should be able to. What this means for people is they may need to use constipation medication, and so what’s the best medicine for constipation.

Now before we actually get into discussing constipation medicine, we’ll mention here that the number one reason people experience constipation is diet choices. Often times the best medicine for constipation is actually to make changes to your diet. Incorporating more soluble fiber and less processed food is the best place to start.

And if you don’t want to make major changes, you’ll likely be amazed at what a bran muffin and some prune juice every day can do for effective relief of constipation. Let’s also have a look at what causes constipation as it’s always good to know the workings of something before you move to dealing with it.

Impaired Digestive Process

Constipation can be the result of any number of different factors, but the most common of them is not having enough water or fiber in your diet. However, a person’s constipation may not have anything to do with what they eat at all. Some people have constipation resulting from an impaired digestive process. This can be because of blockages in the colon or rectum, problems with the nerves around the rectum or colon, dysfunction with the muscles that are involved in the waste elimination process, as well as hormonal imbalances.

Other causes of constipation include:

  • Consuming excess dairy in your diet
  • Overly inactive lifestyle
  • Resisting the urge to have bowel movements
  • Stress
  • Laxative overuse
  • Medication use, and especially with strong painkillers
  • Use of antacid medicines with calcium or aluminum
  • Eating disorders
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Pregnancy
  • Problems with the nerves and muscles in your digestive system
  • Colon cancer
  • Neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

Getting Back to Regular

The old standard for constipation medicine is Ex Lax, and it’s been used by families to restore regular bowel movements for generations. You can find Ex Lax in nearly every drug store or supermarket. You just take one of the tablets with water and wait a short while until it takes effect. Many people will say it’s the best medicine for constipation, but there are a number of other good choices.

Other known effective constipation medicines include:

Plus, people who are looking for a more natural constipation medicine may want to use a psyllium fiber husk mix like Metamucil. These powder constipation medicines are easy to mix with water or juice. Then they work to promote more natural and thorough bowel movements a short time later.

As far as instant constipation relief medicine, there is no one constipation medicine that provides fully ‘instant’ relief. The medication will need time to take effect and provide relief from constipation, but some medicines are known to take effect faster than others. Consumer reviews indicate that Miralax and Dulcolax are among the fastest-acting constipation medicines.

Now of course if you want more natural relief from constipation then taking a psyllium fiber husk mix and then drinking prune juice may actually be the best way to get the desirable effects of an instant constipation relief medicine.


IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.


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