American's reliance on laxatives has spurned a nationwide shortage. But there are several other ways to produce free-flowing bowel movements in the meantime. One of the trendiest constipation ...

Chronic constipation often persists despite laxative use because the root cause can be dyssynergic defecation, a muscle coordination issue. This condition, affecting many patients, requires ...

Regular bowel movements play a crucial role in overall health and well-being. When this natural process becomes irregular, laxatives might offer relief as part of a comprehensive approach to digestive ...

Stool softeners make stools easier to pass by increasing moisture. Stool softeners can take up to 72 hours to work. Other ...

The US has been dealing with a shortage of laxatives. But a doctor said she wouldn't recommend laxatives unless a patient had upped their fiber intake. Doctors recommend high-fiber foods such as ...

Medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and antidepressants, may cause constipation. Laxatives can help treat the effects of constipation these medications cause.

Patients often arrive in pain, miserable, and desperate for relief from constipation. Defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week lasting more than 4 weeks, chronic constipation affects about ...

Constipation is difficulty emptying your bowels. Fecal impaction is the buildup of hardened stool in your bowel that you can’t pass. Fecal impaction is a potential complication of chronic constipation ...