Can I drink mannitol for constipation?

In medicine, mannitol is a laxative that has the function of cleansing the intestines. If severe constipation occurs, mannitol can be taken orally to achieve a laxative effect. Occasional use of the drug will not cause side effects, but if mannitol is used for a long time, the impact on health will be relatively large. This can only be a temporary method of treating constipation, not a long-term solution for constipation.

Can I drink mannitol for constipation?

Constipation is a sign of abnormal defecation. Many diseases in the body have symptoms of constipation. Some bad habits in life may also induce constipation. So can mannitol cure constipation?

Mannitol does have a laxative effect when taken orally and is used clinically to induce diarrhea and clean the intestines. Generally speaking, there are no obvious side effects. Drinking mannitol will cause diarrhea. This method of treating constipation is not a long-term solution. This drug mainly forms a hyperosmotic condition in the intestine. Water penetrates from the intestinal wall into the intestine, increasing the water content of intestinal contents, thereby causing diarrhea. It can be used occasionally. For constipation, it is best to improve it by drinking more water, adjusting your diet and doing abdominal massage.

Dietary remedies for constipation:

1. Drink a glass of cold boiled water when you wake up in the morning. Drinking 2 to 3 cups of cold water after getting up in the morning can eliminate constipation. This is because cold water entering the stomach triggers the gastro-colon reflex, which starts the peristalsis of the large intestine. When you are constipated, water will be absorbed by the body, causing the stool to become dry and hard. Drinking cold boiled water can replenish the water that is insufficient in the stool.

2. Eat pears after meals: Pears are sweet, delicious, crispy and juicy, and are a fruit loved by many people. Every 100 grams of pears contains 3 grams of cellulose (mostly insoluble fiber). It is an insoluble fiber that can help prevent constipation and digestive diseases, purify the kidneys and clean the intestines. People with long-term constipation should eat more pears, which can help prevent colon and rectal cancer.

3. Prune juice: Studies have shown that due to the rich cellulose, pectin and some unique trace elements contained in prunes, drinking natural prune juice can effectively promote intestinal peristalsis, increase the frequency of bowel movements, and relieve or prevent constipation.

4. Konjac honey juice: Use a juicer to squeeze out the juice from the konjac, put it in a pot and cook it over low heat until it becomes a lake. Pour it into a container, mix it with cool honey (honey has cool and hot properties), and take two spoonfuls on an empty stomach every morning. Be sure to persist, it can cure constipation that has not been cured for a long time.

5. Black sesame and polished rice porridge: take 25 grams of black sesame and 50 grams of polished rice. First, fry the black sesame seeds and grind them into fine powder for later use. Wash the polished rice and set aside for later use. Put the black sesame seeds and polished rice into a pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until the porridge is ready. This prescription has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidneys and nourishing the five internal organs. It is suitable for liver and kidney deficiency, dizziness due to deficiency wind, and constipation due to dry intestines.

The impact of long-term constipation on the body cannot be ignored. It will cause toxins and waste in the body to be unable to be excreted in a timely and effective manner, and will also cause certain damage to the health of the skin.