There is a wide range of laxative medicines available, and how to use them wisely is a big question. If you know how to use it, it is medicine that can relieve or cure constipation. Will not use, it is poison, will damage the intestine, aggravate constipation. The premise of rational use is to know oneself and the other, “oneself” is to understand the characteristics and scope of application of the drug, “the other” is the type of constipation and the severity. Then the right medicine, will be twice the result with half the effort. Here we first “know yourself”. According to the mechanism of action can generally be divided into seven categories, namely, contact, expansion, lubrication, intestinal power medicine, Chinese medicine, probiotics and softeners. 1, contact laxatives Older known as stimulating laxatives, this is a class of laxatives we are most familiar with. Because of the fast effect, easy to take, many constipated patients first choose this kind of medicine after the disease. These ingredients can also be found in many laxative proprietary medicines and weight loss, beauty and detoxification products. Clinical and divided into two categories: anthraquinones: representative drugs are rhubarb, senna, cassia seeds and aloe vera, the United States rhamnosus skin, European rhamnosus skin and so on. After oral administration, these drugs are decomposed into anthraquinones by bacteria in the large intestine, and most of them reach the large intestine directly without absorption because of the protection of sugar groups, and are decomposed into glycosides and sugars by bacterial enzymes in the intestine. Glycosides stimulate the mucosa of the large intestine, and inhibit the absorption of sodium ions from the intestinal lumen, so that the water in the large intestine increases, hyperperistalsis and cause diarrhea. 6-8 hours after the drug defecation, commonly used in acute and chronic constipation. Rhubarb, senna, cassia and aloe vera all belong to traditional Chinese medicine, we are already familiar with, will not be introduced here. American sage bark is a small to medium-sized tree that grows in areas such as the Pacific Coast, Washington, Oregon and California. The earliest use of the plum skin of the North Indians as a sacred herb, recommended it to the Spanish explorers, and then spread to Europe, in Europe, the plum skin is now a popular laxative. It contains a unique ingredient that stimulates the lining of the upper intestinal tract, thus promoting normal intestinal function and enhancing the contraction of the muscles of the large intestine (peristalsis), which is very effective in treating long-term constipation. Diphenylmethane: representative drugs are phenolphthalein, bisacodyl (stop stool), sodium pico-sulfate and so on. Phenolphthalein is the fruit guide tablets that many constipated patients have eaten, after oral intake in the intestinal tract and alkaline intestinal fluid meet to form a soluble sodium salt, which can promote peristalsis of the colon. Soft stools are discharged 6-8 hours after taking the drug, and the effect is mild and suitable for chronic constipation. Bisacodyl can be used for chronic constipation or for endoscopy or preoperative bowel cleansing. These medicines are mainly used for temporary laxatives and should not be used continuously for more than half a month. If taken for a long time, it will produce some of the following adverse reactions: (1) it will produce serious drug dependence, the dosage of the drug will be more and more, and even damage to the peripheral nerves of the intestinal wall and muscle tissues, causing colorectal muscle weakness, and the development of organic constipation from a functional lesion that is difficult to treat. (2) rhubarb, senna, cassia seeds contain “anthracene” compounds, will be deposited in the intestinal mucosa over time, so that the intestinal surface becomes black and melanosis, this change may increase the risk of colon cancer. (3) In addition, it will make the intestinal ecological environment damaged, bifidobacteria and other beneficial bacteria imbalance, intestinal lumen of the normal pH changes, intestinal secretion of a large amount of water loss, dehydration symptoms. 2, expansion laxatives, also known as volumetric laxatives, or osmotic laxatives. This kind of medicine is not absorbed by the stomach and small intestine, in the large intestine can absorb water, soften the feces, increase the volume of feces, in the intestinal expansion to stimulate intestinal peristalsis, so as to be able to pass stool. Representative drugs are: salts (magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate), alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol), disaccharides (lactulose, Dupuytren), as well as Fosamax (polyethylene glycol 4000), mannitol, food cellulose, glycerol and so on. Salts and alcohols, which are strong-acting laxatives that take effect 1-3 days after administration, are mainly used for human detoxification and bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. Rarely used to routinely treat constipation, prolonged use can cause electrolyte disorders, such as high magnesium, high potassium, hypernatremia and hypocalcemia. Magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate can also cause reflex pelvic congestion and water loss, menstruation, pregnant women and the elderly should be used with caution. Lactulose and Duphixol of the disaccharide class, these two drugs are not absorbed by hydrolysis in the small intestine, and their osmotic properties allow water and electrolytes to be retained in the intestinal lumen, which is broken down by bacteria into lactic acid and acetic acid in the colon, which further increases the osmolality in the intestines, increases the volume of feces, stimulates intestinal peristalsis, produces a gentle diarrhea, and is also conducive to the discharge of ammonia and other nitrogen-containing substances. It takes effect 24-48 hours after oral administration. It is especially suitable for the elderly, pregnant women, children and postoperative constipation. The disadvantage is that it produces gas by fermentation under the action of bacteria, causing bloating and other discomforts. Fosamax, whose chemical name is Polyethylene Glycol 4000, is different from other osmotic laxatives in that it allows water to be retained in the lumen of the colonic bowel, and the stool is softened by the increased water content, allowing for smoother transit through the colon. It does not overstimulate the intestinal tract, does not affect the integrity of the intestinal mucosa, and does not interfere with the absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. A small dose laxes and a large dose cleanses the bowel. Lactulose, Duphixol and Fosamax are by far the most commonly used laxatives. Food fiber and other substances: food fiber, including vegetables, fruits, natural and semi-synthetic polysaccharides and cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, etc. are not absorbed by the intestinal tract, increase intestinal volume and keep the stools wet and soft, with good laxative effect. It can prevent and control functional constipation. Glycerin is the main ingredient of Keserol, injected into the rectum through the anus, due to the high osmotic pressure to stimulate the intestinal wall to cause defecation, and local lubrication, causing defecation within a few minutes. Applicable to children and the elderly. 3, lubricating laxatives, also known as stool softeners, oral intestinal non-absorption, and impede the absorption of water, so there is a softening of stool lubrication of the intestinal wall. Commonly used drugs are liquid paraffin, the usual amount of 5-15 ml / times. As well as flaxseed, almonds and so on. It is suitable for hemorrhoids, hypertension, post-surgery, constipation of the elderly and children. The disadvantage is that the taste is poor, the role of weak, long-term application will hinder the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins AD, K, as well as calcium and phosphorus, so it should not be used for a long time. 4, intestinal power drugs can increase the transmission rate of the whole digestive tract, increase the number of bowel movements, improve the sensitivity of the rectum to dilation. But often need to be used in conjunction with other drugs. Representatives of the drug are cisapride, mosapride, prucalopride succinate tablets (Li Luo) and so on. The use of such drugs to exclude organic lesions of the intestinal tract. 5.Chinese patent medicine Representing medicine has hemp ren pill, six flavors of an elimination capsule, four mill soup, hemp ren zhi spleen pill, prevent wind and sheng pill, gardenia jinhua pill, cattle yellow on the clearing of the pill, Shu secret capsule and so on. When use should read the instruction carefully, control the amount of medicine, time, prevent the adverse reaction occurs. 6, probiotic class Representing medicine has bifidobacterium, pefikan, whole intestinal raw, beauty intestinal an. It can supplement the beneficial intestinal bacteria, soften the stool and promote intestinal peristalsis. 7, stool softener can soften the stool, easy to discharge. For taking some prescription drugs or sedentary constipation, the efficacy is better, but the effect is relatively slow, generally 1 to 3 days to take effect. Representative drugs include: sodium docusate. After understanding the various medications for constipation, you also need to be reminded that you should not rely solely on medication, but also from changing your lifestyle to start, develop good habits, moderate exercise, and can eat more food rich in plant fiber. Psychotherapy, including biofeedback, is often effective for constipated patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. For some long-term constipation with a variety of drugs is still not effective, can also consider surgery.