ALLEVIATING BOWEL MOVEMENTS
>> A very frequent symptom
>> A variety of therapy options
>> Osmotically active laxative
>> Lactulose mode of action in constipation
>> Figure & Video
>> Lactulose therapy - established and effective
>> A very frequent symptom
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. It is mostly temporary and not serious. Constipation is characterised by persistent difficult, infrequent or apparently insufficient evacuation. There are many causes of constipation, such as insufficient nutrition, impaired colon motility, pelvic floor disorders, side effects of drug products or psychiatric factors. Moreover there are known risk groups
(e.g. women in late pregnancy and certain age groups) and various risk factors, such as limited mobility or comorbidities, predisposing towards the symptom of chronic constipation.
>> A variety of therapy options
The treatment of constipation should be graded, starting with changes to lifestyle and diet. In a next step, medication with constipating agents should be stopped before turning to bulk-forming agents or a certain laxative. There is a huge variety of laxatives available. The modes of action go from increasing faecal mass (bulk-forming), stimulating colonic nerves, or lubricating to osmotically active substances like Lactulose.
>> Osmotically active laxative
The indigestible carbohydrate Lactulose is degraded by saccharolytic bacteria in the colon mainly into lactic acid. Thus acidification of the intestinal content takes place and the osmotic pressure is markedly raised. Stool volume increases by moderate water retention in the intestine, resulting in softer faeces. Furthermore, intestinal peristalsis is enhanced leading to shorter transit time and eased bowel movement.
>> A variety of therapy options
>> Osmotically active laxative
>> Lactulose mode of action in constipation
>> Figure & Video
>> Lactulose therapy - established and effective
>> A very frequent symptom
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. It is mostly temporary and not serious. Constipation is characterised by persistent difficult, infrequent or apparently insufficient evacuation. There are many causes of constipation, such as insufficient nutrition, impaired colon motility, pelvic floor disorders, side effects of drug products or psychiatric factors. Moreover there are known risk groups
(e.g. women in late pregnancy and certain age groups) and various risk factors, such as limited mobility or comorbidities, predisposing towards the symptom of chronic constipation.
>> A variety of therapy options
The treatment of constipation should be graded, starting with changes to lifestyle and diet. In a next step, medication with constipating agents should be stopped before turning to bulk-forming agents or a certain laxative. There is a huge variety of laxatives available. The modes of action go from increasing faecal mass (bulk-forming), stimulating colonic nerves, or lubricating to osmotically active substances like Lactulose.
>> Osmotically active laxative
The indigestible carbohydrate Lactulose is degraded by saccharolytic bacteria in the colon mainly into lactic acid. Thus acidification of the intestinal content takes place and the osmotic pressure is markedly raised. Stool volume increases by moderate water retention in the intestine, resulting in softer faeces. Furthermore, intestinal peristalsis is enhanced leading to shorter transit time and eased bowel movement.
>> Lactulose therapy - established and effective