Osmotic Laxatives. Do you use oral laxatives that work by drawing water into your colon? Examples include epsom salts, Milk of Magnesia, Golytely and Colyte.
Don't know
No
Frequent use (1 to 4 times per week) or less
Approximately daily
More than once daily
919.
Suppositories. Do you regularly use suppositories to effect a bowel movement?
Don't know
No
Frequently (1 to 4 times per week) or less
Almost daily
More than once daily
920.
Bulk Forming Agents. Do you use preparations made primarily of psyllium seed husks? Some common product names include Metamucil, Fiberall, Fibercon, Hydrocil Instant, Konsyl, Serutan, Colodyne, etc.
No, never
In the past or only occasionally
I currently use under 1 tablespoon (15cc) per day
1 to 2 tablespoons (15-30cc) per day
More than 2 tablespoons (30cc) per day
921.
Do fiber products such as bran or psyllium seed affect your digestion? Symptoms can include gas, cramping, bloating, flatulence.
I don't use these products / don't know
No
Sometimes
Yes, but it takes a lot to do that
Yes, even in small quantities
922.
Are you currently using coffee enemas?
No / don't know
Occasionally
Frequently (1 to 4 times per week)
Almost daily
More than once daily
923.
Do you routinely use water enemas?
Don't know
No
Several times per week or less
Approximately daily
More than once daily
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GLOSSARY
Colon: The part of the large intestine that extends to the rectum. The colon takes the contents of the small intestine, moving them to the rectum by contracting.
Flatulence: Abnormal amount of gas in the stomach and intestines.
Herbs: Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Laxative: A substance (food, herb, chemical) that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. Examples include cascara sagrada, senna, castor oil, aloe vera, bisacodyl, phenolphthalein and many others.
Osmotic Laxative: Osmotic laxatives exert a laxative effect by drawing water into the colon and retaining fluid in the bowel or by changing the pattern of water distribution in the feces. Unlike stimulant laxatives, they are safer and non-habit-forming. The most commonly used osmotic laxatives include magnesium hydroxide ("Milk of Magnesia"), magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), sodium potassium tartrate, lactulose, glycerol and polyethylene glycol. Some are administered orally and others by enema.
Over-The-Counter: A drug or medication that can legally be bought without a doctor's prescription being required.
Stimulant Laxative: Stimulant laxatives are believed to stimulate nerve endings in the nerve plexuses of the bowel wall, increasing the movement of its content via several mechanisms. The most common active ingredients include the Anthraquinones (Senna, Aloin, Frangula, Cascara and Powdered rhubarb) and the Diphenylmethane derivatives (Bisacodyl, Sodium picosulfate, Phenolphthalein). Traditionally-used castor oil has fallen into disuse because of its 'drastic' action and unpleasant taste.
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