Are Stimulant Laxatives the Best Option?
When you’re looking for constipation relief, reaching for a stimulant laxative product may seem like the only real choice. But for chronic constipation a stimulant laxative may not be the best option. Constipation, which is medically defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, is a very common condition; in fact it is the single most common digestive problem in the U.S., effecting more than 4 million people. In most cases constipation is mild and temporary and the cause can usually be traced to simple lifestyle factors. Changes in diet, reduced activity levels, and disruption of normal routine are the most common causes of occasional irregularity. Getting back to your regular schedule, eating more high fiber foods, drinking more water and non-caffeinated beverages, and increasing your activity level will almost always help get your digestive system back to normal in a few days. If you feel you need to help nature along with a commercial product, a stimulant laxative such
