Martin:

Like all the men in my family, I have high cholesterol. The good news is that, thanks to my doctor’s good care, my cholesterol levels are coming down. The not-so-good news is that now I have some constipation. My doctor told me that this might happen—certain cholesterol-reducing medications can create hard stools and make it difficult to go to the bathroom. I am working hard at living a healthier life, eating better and have even joined a gym to get back into shape, but this constipation problem is making it difficult. I feel bloated and uncomfortable. Since I have to take my medications, I need to find a way to stay on course and get my bowels moving again. Constipation related to medications, like that experienced by Martin, is only one of several types of occasional constipation. See other constipation sufferers’ profiles.

Mitzi Dulan, RD, CSSD:

Martin’s constipation is related to the medications he takes for his high cholesterol. It’s a common problem. You take your medicine for one condition and wind up with another—occasional constipation. There are over 150 prescriptions and many commonly used over-the-counter medications that can disrupt your digestive system and lead to irregularity. Antacids, antidepressants and pain relievers as well as some medications used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cardiovascular conditions, are just a few of the classes of medicines associated with constipation. View list now. These medications can leave you with hard stools, straining when going to the bathroom, infrequent bowel movements, bloating and gas.

But you can take your medicine and find relief for occasional constipation. To help you avoid episodes of constipation caused by medications you take for other conditions, talk to your physician. S/he can help you understand how the medications you are taking affect your digestive system and what you can do to minimize their effect on your regularity.

And, if you find yourself experiencing a bout of occasional constipation like Martin’s, you might want to try Senokot-S® Tablets for relief. After all, to get healthy, you need to feel good.

In general, to avoid occasional constipation, I recommend following the Six Steps to Combating Occasional Constipation.

Martin:

I plan to beat this cholesterol problem and find a way to overcome the constipation created by my prescription. I am giving Senokot-S® Tablets a try. Senokot-S® Tablets are helping me with my constipation problem. That is a big relief! Now, I feel I can get on with living. After all, I plan to be around for a long, long time.

Please read full product label before use. Laxative products should not be used for a period of longer than one week unless directed by a doctor.

*The following profiles do not represent actual consumers. The individuals depicted represent fictional people with common constipation issues.