uses
Last reviewed 01/2018
Situations in which bulk forming laxatives are useful include:
- colostomy and ileostomy
- haemorrhoids and anal fissure
- chronic diarrhoea associated with diverticular disease
- irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis
Rationale:
- only use if fibre cannot be increased in diet
- a balanced diet with adequate fluid intake and fibre should be tried first
- takes some days to improve (patients should be told this)
Bran:
- unprocessed wheat bran with food or fruit juice
- finely ground bran is more palatable but has poorer water-retaining properties (in bran bread or biscuits)
- oat bran may also be used