42 Treatments  for Constipation

6 Tests 2 Medical Procedures 2 Surgical Procedures 12 Prescribed Medications

14 Over the Counter Medications 5 Herbs and Supplements 1 Alternative Procedures

Pediatrician

Gastroenterologist

Internist

Nurse Practitioner

Family Practice Physician

Overview

Treatment News for Constipation

Tests for Constipation

1. Colonoscopy A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using an instrument called a colonoscope.  More Costs

2. Gastrointestinal Transit Study

3. Sigmoidoscopy Sigmoidoscopy is an internal examination of the lower large bowel (colon) and rectum, using an instrument called a sigmoidoscope.  More Costs

4. History and Physical Exam During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical physical ex...  More Costs

5. Anal Sphincter Manometry

6. Defecography

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Medical Procedures for Constipation

1. Maintain Adequate Hydration Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) involves the replacement of fluids and electrolytes lost during an episode of diarrheal illness. Diarrheal illnesses are pervasive wo...  More

2. Treatment of Underlying Disorders

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Surgical Procedures for Constipation

1. Subtotal Colectomy with Ileorectal Anastomosis

2. Division of Anal Sphincter

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Prescribed Medications for Constipation

1. senna SENNA (SEN uh) is a laxative. This medicine is used to relieve constipation. It may also be used to empty and prepare the bowel for surgery or examination.  More

2. lactulose(Enulose , others...) LACTULOSE (LAK tyoo lose) powder is a laxative derived from lactose. It helps to treat chronic constipation.  More

3. tegaserod(Zelnorm ) TEGASEROD (te GAS a rod) is used to treat women who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation as their main problem. It may also be used for relief of c...  More

4. docusate DOCUSATE (doc CUE sayt) is stool softener. It helps prevent constipation and straining or discomfort associated with hard or dry stools.  More

5. lubiprostone(Amitiza ) LUBIPROSTONE (loo bi PROS tone) is a laxative. It is used to treat chronic constipation.  More

6. magnesium hydroxide MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE (mag NEE zhum hye DROX ide) is a laxative. It is used to treat constipation.  More

7. methylcellulose METHYLCELLULOSE (meth ill SELL yoo lose) is a bulk-forming laxative. This medicine is used to treat constipation.  More

8. magnesium citrate MAGNESIUM CITRATE (mag NEE zee um SI treyt) is a saline laxative. It is used to treat occasional constipation, but it should not be used regularly for this purpose.  More

9. methylnaltrexone(Relistor ) METHYLNALTREXONE (METH il nal TREX one) is used to treat constipation caused by opioids (pain medicine). Immediately tell your health care professional if you stop ...  More

10. alvimopan(Entereg ) ALVIMOPAN (AL vi MOE pan) is used to help the gut function after having gut surgery.  More

11. polyethylene glycol 3350(MiraLax , GlycoLax) POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 3350 (pol ee ETH i leen; GLYE col) powder is a laxative used to treat constipation. It increases the amount of water in the stool. Bowel movemen...  More

12. sodium biphosphate-sodium phosphate(Visicol , OsmoPrep) Sodium Phosphate salts (SOE dee um FOS fate sawlts) are used to clean out the bowel. It is given before a colonoscopy.  More

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Over the Counter Medications for Constipation

1. psyllium(Metamucil , others...) PSYLLIUM (SIL i yum) is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. This medicine is used to treat constipation.  More

2. senna(Senokot , others...) SENNA (SEN uh) is a laxative. This medicine is used to relieve constipation. It may also be used to empty and prepare the bowel for surgery or examination.  More

3. castor oil(Purge ) Castor oil, a stimulant laxative, is a fixed oil obtained from the seeds of Ricinus communis .  More

4. mineral oil(Kondremul Plain , others...) Lubricant laxative; complex mixture of hydrocarbons derived from crude petroleum.  More

5. docusate(Colace , others...) DOCUSATE (doc CUE sayt) is stool softener. It helps prevent constipation and straining or discomfort associated with hard or dry stools.  More

6. bisacodyl(Dulcolax Laxative , others...) BISACODYL (bis a KOE dill) is a laxative. This medicine is used to relieve constipation. It may also be used to empty and prepare the bowel for surgery or examinati...  More

7. magnesium hydroxide(Milk of Magnesia , others...) MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE (mag NEE zhum hye DROX ide) is a laxative. It is used to treat constipation.  More

8. methylcellulose(Citrucel , others...) METHYLCELLULOSE (meth ill SELL yoo lose) is a bulk-forming laxative. This medicine is used to treat constipation.  More

9. magnesium citrate(Citroma , others...) MAGNESIUM CITRATE (mag NEE zee um SI treyt) is a saline laxative. It is used to treat occasional constipation, but it should not be used regularly for this purpose.  More

10. polycarbophil(FiberCon , others...) POLYCARBOPHIL (pol i KAR boe fil) is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. It is used to add more fiber into your diet. This medicine is also used to treat constipation.  More

11. polyethylene glycol 3350(MiraLax ) POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 3350 (pol ee ETH i leen; GLYE col) powder is a laxative used to treat constipation. It increases the amount of water in the stool. Bowel movemen...  More

12. docusate-senna(Senokot S , others...) DOCUSATE SODIUM; SENNA (doc CUE sayt SOE dee um; SEN na) contains a stool softener and a laxative. It is used to treat constipation.  More

13. sodium biphosphate-sodium phosphate(Fleet Phospho Soda , others...) Sodium Phosphate salts (SOE dee um FOS fate sawlts) are used to clean out the bowel. It is given before a colonoscopy.  More

14. aloe vera Aloe vera , a member of the lily family, is a spiky, succulent, perennial plant. It is indigenous to eastern and southern Africa, but has been spread throughout man...  More

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Herbs and Supplements for Constipation What's this?

1. psyllium Psyllium, also referred to as ispaghula (or isphagula), is derived from the husks of the seeds of Plantago ovata . Psyllium contains a high level of soluble dietary...  More Efficacy Grade B

2. Phosphorus Phosphorus is a mineral found in many foods, such as milk, cheese, dried beans, peas, colas, nuts, and peanut butter. Phosphate is the most common form of phosphoru...  More Efficacy Grade A

3. cascara sagrada Cascara is obtained from the dried bark of Rhamnus purshianus (Rhamnaceae), both a medicinal and poisonous plant. It is found in Europe, western Asia, and in North ...  More Efficacy Grade C

4. rhubarb preparation Chinese herbalists have relied on rhubarb rhizomes and roots for thousands of years. The rhizomes and roots contain powerful anthraquinones and tannins that act as ...  More Efficacy Grade C

5. aloe vera Transparent gel from the pulp of the meaty leaves of Aloe vera has been used topically for thousands of years to treat wounds, skin infections, burns, and numerous ...  More

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Alternative Procedures for Constipation What's this?

1. Massage Various forms of therapeutic superficial tissue manipulation have been practiced for thousands of years across cultures. Chinese use of massage dates to 1600 BC, an...  More Efficacy Grade C

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