Are stimulant laxatives bad for you?

We all know how cringe-worthy the words “constipation” and “laxatives” are, but let’s not shy away from the topic that affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives. As humans, we love to talk about our bowel movements just as much as we love a good burger on a Friday night. However, with so many types of laxatives available over-the-counter, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your digestive woes. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at stimulant laxatives – do they really make you go or simply flush out everything? And most importantly: are they bad for you?

What Are Stimulant Laxatives?

First things first – what exactly is a stimulant laxative? Well folks, it’s not your friendly cup of coffee (although sometimes that might work)! Stimulants act directly on the intestinal wall muscles to cause contractions and move stool out quickly.

Now before you nip off to Google ‘stimulants’ thinking this has something to do with recreational drugs; hold up! We’re talking about the legal kind here – Senna leaf tea or products containing Bisacodyl (sounds like some sort of ancient Egyptian city).

Perhaps these substances sound familiar due to their possible overuse by those who suffer from constipation – but have no fear my fellow toilet warriors, today is all about excusing ourselves from that stomach-dropping panic after hearing funny noises coming from within during long conference calls.

How Do They Work?

Stimulating laxatives activate colonic receptors which hasten peristalsis – meaning stool moves lethargically through our large intestine faster than ever before. The result: run-to-the-loo-Dave’s phone-call-cut-short-brisk-walks-kind-of-output!

In more scientific terms however, a signal is sent from the rectum to retrieve poop-collecting reinforcements or accessory muscles, such as abdominal and pelvic floor (it’s like a battle strategy game going on down there!) that contract in harmony until fecal matter exits the building with enough momentum.

On average it takes around 20 minutes for Bisacodyl tablets to work but if you’re really pushing for results, Serenna’s time frame starts at eight hours. So we advise holding fire when your tardy guests ask “Is dinner ready yet?”

Possible Side Effects

Now what about downsides? Anything which flushes out our system could potentially have negative consequences. No one wants health concerns added to their A-Z of awkward bathroom moments!

As with most over-the-counter medication, stimulant laxatives can cause side effects including stomach cramps that tend only last twenty-four hours. Drinking lots of water is recommended when using them – otherwise things may become too fast and furious…if ya catch my drift! However, long term use can lead to dependence; when bowel movements are reliant on constant prompt action due accelerated transit times.

Plus constant stimulation actually suppresses receptors making stool harder so although excessive evacuation might feel cleansing, paradoxically this may heighten probability of constipation through continuous usage. As with other remedies these should be used sparingly!

Our advice? Try opting for cute matches instead- ’15 minutes’ matches fancying up standard loo roll creating worlds apart from previous nightmares spent sitting squirm-worthy seat transitions – regular toilet paper replaced by luxurious moist goodness…but perhaps unnecessary given one quick-dip-without-any real evidence exercise ensures ability avoid unflattering brown stains on underwear during busier days?

In conclusion folks, make sure to always read the labels before purchasing any kind of medicine and consulting medical advisors appropriately.

Thank you for reading today’s fun-tastic-crap-advised article where we learned everything you ever wanted to know (and more) about stimulant laxatives!

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