Dealing with occasional constipation can slow you down and keep you from doing the things you enjoy. However, you can use a dependable stool softener to help you manage constipation. Colace Stool Softener offers a gentle way to relieve the symptoms of occasional diarrhea so you can get back on track and feel more like yourself.
What is occasional constipation?
Constipation occurs when you experience a reduced number of bowel movements, and/or you find it more difficult to pass stool. The most common symptom is experiencing less than three bowel movements a week. However, for some, it might be a reduction in what they consider to be their own normal schedule of bowel movements. You can also experience difficulty with bowel movements, but still have the same amount of bowel movements.
What are the symptoms of occasional constipation?
Constipation causes the following symptoms:
- Less than three bowel movements a week
- Dry, lumpy, or hard stools when you do have a bowel movement
- Pain when passing stools
- Crampy, achy stomach
- Feeling bloated
- Nausea
- Feeling you still have stool in your bowels following a bowel movement
If you experience these symptoms in hand with pain or blood in your stools, or constipation lasts longer than two weeks, speak to your doctor.
Colace Stool Softener
Colace Stool Softener contains a medication called docusate sodium. This is what is known as a stool softener. When the stool becomes softer it makes it easier to pass, reducing discomfort and alleviating the need to strain during bowel movements.
Colace Stool Softener helps you produce a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours. It is a safe, comfortable and effective way to improve the frequency of bowel movements.
When should you use stool softeners?
Stool softeners are recommended when you experience common symptoms of constipation. They can also be used when you experience constipation due to certain medical conditions, or to help prepare for a colonoscopy.
How to Take Colace Clear Capsules
The recommended dosage for Colace Stool Softeners in Clear Capsule form is as follows:
- Adults and children 12 years and over: 1 or 2 capsules once or twice per day without exceeding 4 capsules in 24 hours.
- Children 6 – 11 years: No more than 1 capsule in 24 hours.
Take capsules with at least one full glass of water and never more than the recommended dose.
When is it unsafe to take stool softeners?
If you are allergic to docusate sodium, do not take stool softeners.
If you have more severe symptoms with constipation including abdominal pain, nausea, fever or vomiting don’t take these products unless you have spoken to your doctor.
When taking any other medications, make sure you speak with our team of Colace experts or talk to your doctor or pharmacist before choosing a laxative or stool softening product.
Do not take stool softeners with mineral oil.
These products are intended for occasional constipation and therefore should not be taken for more than seven days at a time. Ongoing use makes it difficult to have a regular bowel movement without the use of a laxative product.
How to Reduce Risk for Constipation
You can reduce the risk for occasional constipation with these tips:
- Eating a diet rich in fibre including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grains and cereals
- Drinking at least eight glasses of water each day
- Getting more exercise
- Reducing stress
- Using the bathroom when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement
This will help keep your bowel movements more regular.
When to Call Your Doctor
Although we all suffer from occasional constipation, you should never ignore ongoing constipation issues. Speak to your doctor if you experience any of the following problems:
- You are constipated for the first time
- There is blood in your stool, or when you “wipe”
- Unexplained weight loss in hand with your constipation
- Severe stomach pain either when you have a bowel movement or throughout the day and night
- You are constipated for over three weeks
These issues indicate your constipation requires medical attention to rule out more serious underlying causes.
Colace Stool Softener offers a dependable laxative to provide quick relief for your occasional constipation. Get more information on where you can find Colace products by clicking the link, or by talking to our team of Colace experts