Magnesium for chronic constipation?

Is taking magnesium safe for chronic constipation?

Is taking magnesium oxide daily safe for chronic constipation ? Chronic constipation is also known as functional constipation. People who suffer with functional constipation do not respond to conventional treatments. Functional constipation is often caused by a physical problem, for example, the muscles and nerves in the colon, anus or rectum may not be functioning correctly. Functional constipation is therefore also referred to as anorectal dysfunction because the muscles that allow a stool to be passed are dysfunctional. If a person feels the urge to pass a stool, but experiences difficulty or pain in following through, the problem may be due to a pelvic dysfunction. Magnesium oxide may be used as a laxative for short-term treatment of constipation. It should not be used for long periods of time, due to the fact that the body becomes dependent on the medication and the body may not be able to have a bowel movement without the medication. For patients with chronic constipation, it is extremely important to consult with their physician to determine the safest and most effective treatment option to resolve their symptoms. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action.

Chronic constipation

When should I seek medical care for chronic constipation?

If the main problem is straining to push the stool out, chronic constipation should probably be evaluated early. This difficulty might be due to pelvic floor dysfunction, and the treatment of choice is biofeedback training, not laxatives. If the constipation is not responding to the simple measures discussed previously with the addition of hyper-osmolar laxatives or milk of magnesia, it is time to consult a physician for an evaluation. If a primary doctor is not comfortable performing the evaluation or does not have confidence in doing an evaluation, he or she should refer the patient to a gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists evaluate constipation frequently and are very familiar with the diagnostic testing described previously.What's new in the treatment of constipation ?Each part of the intestine (stomach, small intestine, and colon) has a network of nervesthat controls its muscles. A great deal of research is being done in orderto gain an understanding of how these nerves control each other and ultimately themuscles. Much of this research involves the study of neurotransmitters. This research is allowing scientists to develop drugs that stimulate(and inhibit) the various nerves of the colon which, in turn, cause the musclesof the colon to contract and propel the colonic contents. Such drugs have greatpotential for the treatment of constipation that is due to colonic inertia. Thefirst of these drugs is in clinical trials and is likely to be available soon.These drugs are an exciting development because they offer a new treatment fora difficult-to-treat form of chronic constipation.