Is Miralax Good For Hemorrhoids

Why Do Hemorrhoids Bleed

Straining or passing a particularly hard stool can damage the surface of a hemorrhoid, causing it to bleed. This can happen with both internal and external hemorrhoids. In some cases, a thrombosed hemorrhoid can burst if it becomes too full, resulting in bleeding.

Blood from a hemorrhoid will look bright red on a piece of toilet paper.

I Am Very Sensitive To Laxatives

If by sensitivity you mean you develop a sore bottom: It’s a good idea to pre-treat your bottom with something that will protect it even before the bowel movements begin. Desitin® is a good choice. Use wet wipes instead of toilet tissue.

If by sensitivity you mean that a little bit of medication really gets your bowels moving: Then you may want to buy some underwear protection and stay very close to the bathroom. People who have a history of having accidents are more likely to have accidents during their bowel preparation.

Does Miralax Cause Side Effects

Miralax is an osmotic laxative used to treat occasional constipation and for bowel preparation prior to procedures.

Miralax works by retaining water in the stool, resulting in softer stools and more frequent bowel movements. Miralax does not affect glucose and electrolytes in the body.

Common side effects of Miralax include

• severe and worsening stomach pain.

No drug interactions have been established with Miralax.

It is unknown if Miralax will harm a fetus. It is unknown if Miralax enters breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

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Recommended Uses For Miralax

MiraLAX is approved for treating short-term constipation. Its also recommended for other uses.

MiraLAX for constipation

MiraLAX is approved for the short-term treatment of constipation in adults and adolescents aged 17 years and older.

Your doctor may also recommend it for treating constipation in younger children, including babies younger than 2 years of age.

Dont take MiraLAX for more than seven days without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may want to evaluate the cause of your constipation. Your doctor may find that you need other treatments.

MiraLAX is often recommended by doctors for treating chronic constipation. The American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons recommend MiraLAX as an effective first-choice treatment for chronic constipation.

MiraLAX for colonoscopy prep

MiraLAX may be recommended by your doctor for colonoscopy bowel preparation. This is a procedure to clear out the contents of your gastrointestinal tract before you have a colonoscopy. According to one study, using MiraLAX is effective for this use, but may not be as effective as other options.

If your doctor recommends MiraLAX for bowel prep, youll be given specific instructions on how to use it. You may also need to take other medications for this purpose.

MiraLAX for IBS

MiraLAX for diverticulitis

Treatment Of Constipation In Older Adults

CHRISTINE HSIEH, M.D., Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Am Fam Physician. 2005 Dec 1 72:2277-2284.

• References

Constipation is a common complaint in older adults. Although constipation is not a physiologic consequence of normal aging, decreased mobility and other comorbid medical conditions may contribute to its increased prevalence in older adults. Functional constipation is diagnosed when no secondary causes can be identified, such as a medical condition or a medicine with a side effect profile that includes constipation. Empiric treatment may be tried initially for patients with functional constipation. Management of chronic constipation includes keeping a stool diary to record the nature of the bowel movements, counseling on bowel training, increasing fluid and dietary fiber intake, and increasing physical activity. There are a variety of over-the-counter and prescription laxatives available for the treatment of constipation. Fiber and laxatives increase stool frequency and improve symptoms of constipation. If constipation is refractory to medical treatment, further diagnostic evaluation may be warranted to assess for colonic transit time and anorectal dysfunction. Alternative treatment methods such as biofeedback and surgery may be considered for these patients.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Review the patients medication list to evaluate for medications that may cause constipation.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

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Taking Safety Precautions With Miralax

When Did Metamucil Start

Psyllium husk has been used as an excellent fiber source for centuries. However, it wasnt until 1934 when the product began getting marketed by Metamucil, which is now the official name for the psyllium husk and powder.

Today, there are various ways to take Metamucil, as it is offered in Metamucil powder, Metamucil wafers, and even Metamucil capsules.

There are also different versions of Metamucil, including:

• Premium Blend Sugar-Free Orange Powder
• Sugar-Free Orange Smooth Powder

• Avoids constipation
• Improves the digestive system

According to the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Mixed fibre and psyllium were equally efficacious in improving constipationand relieving flatulence and bloating. Plus, the British Journal of Nutrition found that psyllium husk could help reduce blood pressure.

Dietary fiber in general can be beneficial as well. According to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, dietary fiber may play a beneficial role in inflammation of the bowels, while research in Nutrition Todayfound that these kind of fiber supplements can help gastrointestinal health.

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Miralax Vs Milk Of Magnesia

MiraLAX is an osmotic laxative. That means it draws water into the colon, which softens the stool and may naturally stimulate the colon to contract. These actions help ease bowel movements.

Milk of magnesia is another name for magnesium hydroxide. It works like an osmotic laxative.

Uses

MiraLAX is used for short-term treatment of constipation and long-term treatment of chronic constipation. Its also used for bowel prep before colonoscopy.

Milk of magnesia is used for short-term treatment of constipation. Its not currently recommended for long-term treatment of chronic constipation.

Drug forms

MiraLAX comes as a powder in bottles and single-serve packets. You mix the powder with four to eight ounces of liquid and drink it once daily.

Milk of magnesia is the liquid form of magnesium hydroxide. Milk of magnesia products come as liquid suspensions. Theyre usually taken once daily, but may be taken more often if needed.

Magnesium hydroxide products also come as oral tablets or caplets that are typically taken once daily.

Side effects and risks

Common side effects of MiraLAX include:

• diarrhea or loose stools

• heart rhythm changes

Effectiveness

An analysis of studies comparing MiraLAX and milk of magnesia for constipation in children found conflicting results. Some of these studies show that MiraLAX might be slightly more effective than milk of magnesia. However, another study in the analysis found that milk of magnesia may be more effective.

Diarrheathere May Be Many Causes

In the GI world, there is a stricter definition of diarrhea than one might think.

Its not just watery stool or stool with no consistency, but also increased volume. People often come to me and say they are having diarrhea, but when you get into the fine details and find out they are pooping once or twice a day, thats not it really, Dr. Deutsch says. Still, its maybe not your normal. And I need to know if it holds shape or if its just literally water coming out.

Dr. Deutsch says it is important to find out if there is any blood, which could be an indication of an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohns or ulcerative colitis, both of which involve chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and cause persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody stool, weight loss, and fatigue.

She says she also wants to know if someone is having accidents. If its just a sensation that you cant get to the bathroom in time, but you do get there, that is easy to fix, she says. Common factors may be lactose intolerance or things like bacteria that exist in your gut. They do many jobs, but they can also draw too much water into your stool and give you diarrhea.

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Miralax Side Effects List For Healthcare Professionals

Allergy alert

Do not use if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol

Do not use if you have kidney disease, except under the advice and supervision of a doctor

Ask a doctor before use if you have

Ask a doctor of pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug

When using this product you may have loose, watery, more frequent stools

Stop use and ask a doctor if

• you have rectal bleeding or you nausea, bloating or cramping or abdominal pain gets worse. These may be signs of a serious condition.
• you need to use a laxative for longer than 1 week

If pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of the reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

How Common Are Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women. About half of the population have hemorrhoids by age 50. Hemorrhoids are also common among pregnant women. The pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. These vessels are also placed under severe pressure during childbirth. For most women, however, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.

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When Hemorrhoid Surgery May Be Necessary

Very few people fewer than 10 percent of all adults who see a doctor because of symptomatic hemorrhoids will require a surgical operation.

Surgery to remove hemorrhoids is called a hemorrhoidectomy.

Your doctor may recommend a hemorrhoidectomy if:

• You have large external hemorrhoids
• You have both internal and external hemorrhoids
• An internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed

In a hemorrhoidectomy, the doctor makes a small incision to remove the hemorrhoid and surrounding tissue before closing the wound with stitches.

A hemorrhoidectomy is performed in an operating room and can be done under general anesthesia, in which you are unconscious and unable to feel pain.

It can also be done with a spinal anesthetic block while you are awake , or with a combination of relaxing and sedating drugs given intravenously and a local anesthetic injected around the anus.

Hemorrhoidectomy is associated with postoperative pain, but the procedure is successful for 95 percent of cases.

More recently, another option aimed at avoiding the postoperative pain of a hemorrhoidectomy has become available, called a stapled hemorrhoidopexy. A circular stapling device pulls the hemorrhoidal tissue upward and to its normal position, stapling it in place. The staples eventually fall out over time.

There are many options for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Its best to discuss the benefits and risks of each of these with your doctor in order to come up with the treatment plan that is best for your particular case.

Overview Of Constipation Treatment

• References

If a medication or a medical condition is the cause of constipation, eliminating the offending medication or treating the underlying medical condition may relieve the constipation. However, certain conditions require the use of a medication despite its side effects. Although opioid therapy almost always causes some degree of constipation, individual opioids induce constipation to different degrees. One study16 found that fentanyl was less likely to cause constipation than oral morphine. In most cases, a prophylactic laxative should be considered when prescribing chronic opioid therapy because tolerance to the constipating effects of opioids does not develop over time.

When no secondary cause of constipation is identified, empiric treatment should be tried initially for functional constipation. Management should begin with nonpharmacologic methods to improve bowel regularity and should proceed to the use of laxatives if nonpharmacologic methods are not successful. If the constipation is refractory to medical treatment, the patient should be referred to a specialist for further diagnostic evaluation. This may include measurement of colonic transit time, anorectal manometry, defecography, or a balloon expulsion test to assess colonic transit and anorectal function. In rare cases, biofeedback therapy or surgery may be warranted.14

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Is Miralax Good For Hemorrhoids

4.8/5explained here

A fiber supplement, such as Metamucil , or a stool softener, such as Citrucel , can help prevent constipation. Avoid laxatives, which can lead to diarrhea and worsen hemorrhoid symptoms.

One may also ask, what shrinks hemorrhoids fast? Warm bath with Epsom saltWarm baths can help soothe the irritation from hemorrhoids. You can use a sitz bath, which is a small plastic tub that fits over a toilet seat, or take a full-body bath in your tub. According Harvard Health, taking a warm bath for 20 minutes after every bowel movement will be most effective.

Keeping this in view, do laxatives help with hemorrhoids?

Fiber Laxatives May Cut Hemorrhoids‘ Symptoms. Oct. 19, 2005 — Laxatives in the form of fiber may help ease symptoms of hemorrhoids, especially bleeding, researchers report. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum.

Can you put powder on hemorrhoids?

Lightly pat the rectal area dry. Avoid rubbing. Talcum or baby powders can help GET YOUR STOOLS SOFT. This is the most important way to prevent irritated hemorrhoids.

To ease the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids, there are several things you can do on your own at home:

Study Of Metamucil On Blood Glucose And Hba1c In Type Ii Niddm Subjects

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-dose clinical study consisting of 2 phases 1) an 8-week lead-in period during which patients followed a diet judged to be within the acceptable guidelines of the ADA, and 2) a 12-week treatment period, at the beginning of which, Subjects are randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 treatment groups: placebo, 3.4 g psyllium BID for a total of 6.8 g/day or 6.8g psyllium BID for a total of 13.6 g/day . For 12 weeks, Subjects took Metamucil or the fiber-free placebo BID, just prior to breakfast and dinner.

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Other Causes Of Hemorrhoids Are:

Hemorrhoids can occur from multiple causes, but the most natural solution in reducing inflammation is a higher intake of fiber. Metamucil utilizes fiber from psyllium husk, a soluble type of fiber that soothes issues of constipation, a known aggravator of hemorrhoids.

The symptoms experienced from external and internal hemorrhoids are:

There have been years of research with numerous studies backing the use of psyllium to treat digestive disorders, such as constipation, diarrhea, symptoms of IBS, and hemorrhoids. These plant fibers from which psyllium is derived reduce the frequency of bleeding caused by constipation a factor that upsets inflamed hemorrhoids even further.

For Metamucil to be effective in treating hemorrhoids, you must remember to include it in your diet every day. Keeping regular with your fiber supplement will allow your bowels to keep movements regular, too, and less painful.

Metamucil advises in consuming eight ounces of water alongside your fiber supplement intake. Fiber requires moisture to move it along through the intestines. Staying hydrated can assist in bulking stools with additional moisture for a more comfortable bowel movement.

Medical Procedures For Hemorrhoids That Wont Go Away

If hemorrhoids don’t go away with home treatments, medical procedures may be necessary.

If you visit your doctor with painful external hemorrhoids those located around the outside of the anus that are visible from the outside your doctor may offer to excise them during the office visit. You will be given a shot with a local anesthetic to numb the area before the procedure.

Doctor’s office procedures for internal hemorrhoids those located inside the rectum may include:

Rubber Band Ligation This is the most commonly performed hemorrhoid procedure in the United States. In this procedure, which can be used for grades 1, 2, and 3 internal hemorrhoids , the doctor places a small rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid, which can be done when your doctor performs an anoscopy examination to better visualize the hemorrhoids. The rubber band cuts off the hemorrhoid’s blood supply.

The procedure typically causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off within about a week, though several short visits to your doctor may be necessary to completely get rid of the hemorrhoid. Minor bleeding and a feeling of pressure may occur, but this can usually be alleviated with OTC pain relievers. This procedure is not associated with significant recovery time.

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Using Soluble Fiber To Relieve Hemorrhoid Symptoms

While diarrhea, constipation and hemorrhoids may seem like very different medical conditions, they do have one thing in common. One of the biggest causes of all three conditions is a diet lacking in sufficient fiber.

Fiber, both the soluble and insoluble kinds, is necessary for proper digestion and excretion. Usually, fiber can be obtained through foods like whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Todays prevalent diet and lifestyle habits do not incorporate enough of these types of foods, however, and diarrhea, constipation and hemroids may be the consequences.

The USDA recommends a total fiber intake of 12 to 25 grams per day, with 1/3 to ½ of that amount coming from soluble fiber. It is estimated that most Americans get only 10 to 15 grams of fiber daily. Fortunately, there are a number of good soluble fiber supplements on the market today that can help add soluble fiber to your diet.

Benefits of Adding Soluble Fiber

Adding soluble fiber to your diet can help hemorrhoids in a couple of ways. First, adding soluble fiber adds bulk to your stools, which in turn makes them easier to pass. This prevents constipation, which is itself a major cause of hemroids. When you are constipated, stools become dry and hard to pass. This can lead to straining during bowel movements, and the pressure can cause rectal and anal veins to swell and become hemroids.

Soluble Fiber Options and Dosage