Can you take stool softeners everyday?

Over-the-counter stool softeners are effective for some people. However, in controlled clinical trials, there is no evidence that they improve symptoms. While they only are intended for short-term relief of constipation, using a daily stool softener long-term probably is not harmful.

How long can you safely take stool softeners?

Do not take stool softeners for more than 1 week unless your doctor directs you to. If sudden changes in bowel habits last longer than 2 weeks or if your stools are still hard after you have taken this medicine for 1 week, call your doctor.

What are the long term effects of stool softeners?

Taking a stool softener for an extended period of time can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes include sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and chloride. They help regulate certain functions in your body. An imbalance of electrolytes can lead to weakness, confusion, seizures, and irregular heart rhythms.

How often should you take stool softeners?

The recommended dose for adults is 100 mg to 300 mg by mouth daily. This is taken in a once-daily dose or divided into two doses. It can be taken any time of the day, with or without food.

What is the best stool softener to take daily?

In general, bulk-forming laxatives, also referred to as fiber supplements, are the gentlest on your body and safest to use long term. Metamucil and Citrucel fall into this category.

Is it okay to take stool softeners each day for a few months?

Can too much stool softener be harmful?

Over-the-counter stool softeners are effective for some people. However, in controlled clinical trials, there is no evidence that they improve symptoms. While they only are intended for short-term relief of constipation, using a daily stool softener long-term probably is not harmful.

Can you become dependent on stool softeners?

Stimulant laxatives such as senna and bisacodyl trigger contractions in the bowels that push the stool along. But if you take stimulant laxatives too often, you could become dependent on them to have a bowel movement at all—possibly because the bowel has stopped functioning normally.

What can I take daily for constipation?

Bulk-forming fiber supplements include calcium polycarbophil (Equilactin, Fibercon), methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel), and psyllium (Fiber-Lax, Konsyl, Metamucil), and wheat dextrin (Benefiber). Unlike other laxatives, you can take these every day. They make the stool bigger and softer.

How can I soften my stool naturally?

Do stool softeners work if you are already constipated?

Stool softeners like docusate (Colace) work by reducing the hardness of stools, which should make them easier to pass. Problem is, they won't do much if you're already constipated, since they take three of four days to kick in, he adds. But they can help treat chronic constipation.

Do probiotics help with constipation?

Studies suggest that probiotics may relieve constipation related to pregnancy, certain medications, or digestive issues like IBS. Probiotics are largely safe and effective, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet to improve bowel regularity.

Is it OK to take MiraLAX every day?

You should use MiraLAX^® for no more than seven days. If you need to use a laxative for longer than one week, stop use and consult your doctor.

Is it OK to take a laxative once a week?

Laxative abuse

Most young, healthy people should rarely, if ever, require a stimulant laxative, and laxatives should never be used in higher than directed doses or over long periods of time. Once the pattern has started, however, people often find it very difficult to stop taking laxatives even if they want to.

How do you soften hard stools?

Is banana good for constipation?

Bananas are high in fiber

Fiber has long been claimed to help prevent and relieve constipation ( 2 , 3 ). Soluble fiber absorbs water, helping stools stay large and soft. This may help improve the movement of stool through your digestive tract ( 4 ).

What foods cause hard stools?

Fried foods are full of fat and are hard to digest. When food moves through your colon slowly, too much water can be taken out of it. That makes for a hard, dry stool.

Why is my poop hard as a rock?

Hard stools are a result of your colon absorbing too much water. That can happen when food passes too slowly through your digestive system. This results in hard, dry stools that are difficult for you to pass.

Should I keep eating if constipated?

You may think that cutting back on food will help “clear out” your colon. That's not the case. Do this: Eating, especially healthy whole foods that contain fiber, helps your body move stool.

Is it OK to take Dulcolax everyday?

Long-term use of DULCOLAX is not recommended. If you use DULCOLAX every day, you should consult with your doctor to find out the cause of your constipation. Long-term and excessive use of DULCOLAX may cause an imbalance of salts in the body (including low potassium), muscle weakness and kidney problems.

Is MiraLAX a laxative or a stool softener?

MiraLAX is an osmotic laxative. That means it draws water into the colon, which softens the stool and may naturally stimulate the colon to contract. These actions help ease bowel movements. Metamucil is a psyllium fiber supplement that works as a bulk-forming laxative.

Why do I keep getting constipated?

You may become constipated if you don't eat enough high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Also, eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, or rich desserts and sugary sweets may cause constipation. People who live alone may lose interest in cooking and eating.

What's the difference between stool softener and laxative?

A laxative defines any medicine that facilitates a bowel movement which includes a broad range designed to treat varying levels of severity. A stool softener is a mild (OTC) over-the-counter laxative used to soften the stool for easier passage and less strain.

How many pounds of stool can the colon hold?

For every foot of colon, the body can store between 5 and 10 pounds of feces. So if you're just over five foot tall you could easily have 25 pounds of poop stuck in your colon.

What is considered laxative overuse?

Laxative abuse occurs when a person attempts to eliminate unwanted calories, lose weight, “feel thin,” or “feel empty” through the repeated, frequent use of laxatives.

Is MiraLAX or Metamucil better for constipation?

Metamucil (psyllium)

Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol) provides effective relief of constipation without "cramping" your style. Helps get things moving. Metamucil (psyllium) is a natural fiber that is cheap and effective at relieving constipation. Miralax is the most recommended laxative by pharmacists and doctors.