Is a stool softener like a laxitive?!

Almost but not quite.. A stool softener, the name pretty much says it all, will soften your stool, and make it easier for the muscles to contract and push it out of the body.. A laxative works by making the body secreet enzyms and chemicals that tell the brain to flush everything out of the body, *and* it softens your stool at the same time..

So basically, a stool softener helps you out, but you have to do the dirty work.. A laxitive helps you out, then does the dirty work for you..
:-)Health Question & Answer

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A stool softener is focused on the desired effect and there are laxatives that can soften stools too.. Here's a site with a lot of info about stool softeners and even warnings..

.nlm..nih..gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601113..html" rel="nofollow">http://www..nlm..nih..gov/medlineplus/drugi......

One other thing to keep in mind if constipated that drinking a few glasses of water can help within minutes either way you must make a safe decision fro what's best for you..

Tip: Fenugreek herb is known as a bulk laxative and it comes in capsule form too.. Look it up to see if you like it..

Good Luck!Health Question & Answer

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Stool softener is basically a laxitive but on a smaller level of 'laxitiveness' :-)

Stool softener just makes it softer so you can 'go'.. Laxitive makes it really runny, so to speak :-)Health Question & Answer

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No, a stool softener just softens so you can go~ a good stool softener is Kelp
Prunes are the best laxativeHealth Question & Answer

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