Comparing Occasional Constipation Remedies

Food naturally moves through the digestive system at a regular pace until it is eliminated from the body as waste. Most people void waste multiple times each week, but sometimes this process gets interrupted due to changes in lifestyle, diet or use of certain medications. Most constipation remedies are effective for this occasional irregularity.

Comparing the mechanisms behind each class of constipation remedy shows the variety of options available. Stimulants, such as Natural Moves®, target the nerves and muscles associated with the large intestine, inducing them to void the contents of the colon. If taken for a long time, stimulant laxatives may cause dependency. Bulk forming agents are less harsh than stimulants. Metamucil® and Fiber Choice® use fiber as a bulk forming agent. When bulk forming agents reach the colon, they contribute to the size of the waste there. The colon responds to this increased volume by contracting to eliminate the waste. Care must be taken to drink plenty of water with any bulk forming agent. If they are taken with insufficient water, bulk forming agents can actually make constipation worse.

Stool softeners, like castor oil, make the stool moister. This extra fluid makes the waste in the colon softer. The softer stool passes out of the colon more easily. Magnesium or Magnesia products are osmotics. Osmotics draw water into the stool from the surrounding tissues through osmosis. The additional water makes the stool suppler so that it can readily move out of the body.