There are five basic types of drugstore laxatives you should be aware of. Some of these laxatives can be dangerous to use. In addition, some of these laxatives are combinations of these five types, which are designed to create an effective constipation product. In making this combination, a product is created that can be even more dangerous to your health.

The five types of drugstore laxatives are:

* Bulk Forming Laxatives – (clears constipation in 1-3 days)

* Stool Softening Laxatives – Emollients – (works in 1-4 days)

* Lubricant Laxatives – (works in 5- 9 hours)

* Osmotic or Saline Chemical Laxatives – (works 1- 3 hours)

* Stimulant Laxatives – (works in 6 – 24 hours)

If you are going to use any of these laxatives keep in mind they will work faster when you take them on an empty stomach. Use them only for the time necessary to get relief from constipation.

Once you have cleared your constipation, look for a more natural way to keep regular. Start by eating more fruits and vegetables to get more minerals and fiber.

Bulk Forming Laxatives

Bulking laxatives are the safest laxative to use and can be use longer than other types of laxatives. These laxatives contain fiber or fiber like products. However, it is best to get your fiber from food since food has a balance of all nutrients your body needs.

These laxatives work by making your stools larger and heavier and help attract and trap water into their fiber structure. This stimulates your colon to have a bowel movement. Using laxatives that contain fiber is a natural way to stimulate your colon into action.

Bulking products or food can be used for mild cases of constipation. Use them with plenty of water so the bulking material does not expand in your throat or cause a back up in your colon. Using an excess of bulking products daily can cause the problem you are trying to eliminate - constipation.

Natural bulking agents are karagy, guar, agar, and psyllium seed. Some semi-synthetic bulking agents are methylcellulose or carboxy-methyl cellulose, which I do not recommend.

Some bulk forming laxatives you will find in the drugstore are:

* Citrucel – contains methylcellulose (not recommended)

* Fiberall – contains psyllium seeds

* Fibercon – contains Calcium Polycarbophil (not recommended)

* Hydrocil – contains psyllium seeds

* Metamucil – contains psyllium husks

* Perdiem Fiber – contains senna

* Ultrafiber – contains psyllium seeds and prunes

Some bulk forming laxatives contain excess sugar and sodium. Read the label for these items, if you have high blood pressure or are diabetic.

If you are pregnant, using bulk forming laxatives may be the safest way to relieve your constipation, but look for natural fiber food products. These natural products are discussed in other articles that I have written. Avoid using any other type of laxative since the chemicals they contain can get into the fetus or, when breast-feeding, the breast milk.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid e-books. He writes a newsletter called natural-remedies-thatwork.com and his information on other topics can be seen at stop-constipation.com stop-constipation.com

A stop smoking patch looks like an extra-large sticking plaster that is stuck on the skin while releasing nicotine that is absorbed slowly through the skin, reducing the physical craving for cigarettes within the body. While helping people to get through the withdrawal period relatively easily the patch will help the body reduce and sometime avoids feelings of restlessness, irritability, anxiety, headaches, dizziness, constipation, insomnia and tiredness.

Also, the nicotine patch has another advantage - it does not contain the other harmful chemicals present in cigarettes. A nicotine patch should be applied to a clean area between the neck and the waist that is free of hair. It usually doubles the rate of success for people who are motivated to give up smoking, as compared to those who rely only on their willpower and the advice of a doctor.

Nicotine patches are not for everyone who smokes, and pregnant women need to be careful about using the Nicoderm nicotine patches, since nicotine may slow down the growth of the baby. Those with high blood pressure and heart problems also need to be cautious about using nicotine patches. Similarly, people with diabetes, stomach ulcers, severe liver or kidney problems, or an over active thyroid gland need to consult their doctor before using a nicotine patch.

There are different types of patches, releasing doses of nicotine initially, then tapering off with different patches lowering the nicotine doses. Some patches release nicotine for 16 hours, while others release it for 24 hours. This allows the smoker to regulate the nicotine intake by taking the series of patches.

However, it is yet to be established as to what is more beneficial, gradual reduction in the dose of nicotine by using the patch or another aid, or its sudden stoppage through quicker reduction methods. Similarly, it is difficult to say whether 24-hour patches are more effective than 16-hour patches.

Two forms of patches that are popular are the traditional Nicoderm patches, and the new Zero Nicotine patches which are made from natural herbs. Using all-natural healing properties of traditional herbal formulas, it completely and naturally eliminates the body’s craving for nicotine without putting nicotine back into the system, the way Nicoderm does.

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