saline laxatives

Laxatives were in fact used extensively in pre-modern medicine to treat a wide range of conditions for which they are now generally regarded as ineffective in modern evidence-based medicine. Laxatives are basically substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements, not to mention that they are used to treat and prevent constipation. It is worth noting that laxatives vary as to how they work and the side effects they may have. Saline laxatives, for instance, are substances that attract and retain water in the intestinal lumen, thereby stimulating evacuation of the bowel. Like any medication, laxatives can have side effects such as flatulence, cramps in the abdomen, feeling sick, bloating, dehydration, which in turn can cause light-headedness, headaches, and darker urine. Bear in mind that most of these side effects will disappear once a patient stops taking the medication; they can mostly be avoided by starting on a low dose and increasing the dose gradually. As for the serious side effects, they are actually rare. However, excessive or prolonged use of saline laxatives can cause diarrhea or intestinal obstruction, where stools become large and dry. Long-term use can also cause levels of salts and minerals in the body to become unbalanced. Remember that saline laxatives containing magnesium, potassium, or phosphates may have to be avoided if your kidney function is not normal.