Colon habits differ from person to person. Many people suffer from different colon conditions. The most common is the pain caused during the process of excretion. To ease this pain or make this process pain free, stool softeners are used. The property of a stool softener is that it makes the excreta soft by making the excreta absorb and retain water. This makes the process easier and relatively pain free. But think twice before using such products as they may contain chemicals which can be armful for your health.
The most common chemicals found in these softeners are docusate sodium and docusate calcium. Docusate sodium in particular is known to take the level of toxins in drugs to a higher notch if taken simultaneously. Most of the softeners found in your nearby medical store contain these chemicals. These chemicals are harmful for the smooth functioning of the liver in the body.
Another harmful substance that can be vicious if used in combination with softeners has to be mineral oils. You do not want to absorb mineral oil into your body as it is has side effects. Usage of mineral oils in softeners can lead to the formation of tumors in the body. Such softening laxatives are very harmful for women. When mineral oil is taken in the body it is supposed to get released through the anus without affecting the other parts of the body. Unfortunately, this may not be the case sometimes as mineral oils may stick to the intestinal walls and go through it causing damage to the cells causing various health problems. They interfere with the absorption process. As a result, necessary nutrients like vitamins may not be digested leading to health complications. It can also cause pneumonia in some cases which often tends to be difficult to get rid of.
Pregnant women should take care not to consume mineral oil in any form as it poses a big health threat. It is risky for the health of the mother as well as the yet to be born baby since the absorption of nutrients and vitamins may be blocked. It may even cause bleeding in the baby if consumed in high quantities.
In addition it prevents the digestion of phosphorus and calcium along with all the necessary vitamins like vitamin D and vitamin E. This leads to several other ailments. Without doubt, mineral oil is the most harmful stool softening laxative out in the stores.
