Do not use a stool softener if you are also taking mineral oil or any prescription drug. Chemical stimulants . And if you use them for long periods, you can become dependent on them. Peristalsis ceases without chemical stimulation. Lazy bowel syndrome is one reason why physicians discourage using stimulant laxatives more than once or twice a month.
Some people use enemas to treat constipation.
Enemas irrigate the bowel and act as lubricants and stimulants. But frequent enemas can damage the colon and cause electrolyte imbalances. As a result, the APA discourages them as a treatment for constipation. Red Flags M ost constipation is simply annoying. If your constipation does not clear up after a week of combining the diet, exercise and other approaches discussed in this Chapter, consult your physician.