Cathartic: Difference between revisions
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*saline cathartic one that increases fluidity of intestinal contents by retention of water by osmotic forces and indirectly increases motor activity. | *saline cathartic one that increases fluidity of intestinal contents by retention of water by osmotic forces and indirectly increases motor activity. | ||
*stimulant cathartic one that directly increases motor activity of the intestinal tract. | *stimulant cathartic one that directly increases motor activity of the intestinal tract. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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* {{Dorlands|c_15|12219134}} | * {{Dorlands|c_15|12219134}} | ||
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Cathartic}} | * {{eMedicineDictionary|Cathartic}} | ||
Latest revision as of 23:34, 8 August 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
In medicine, a cathartic is a substance which accelerates defecation.
This is in contrast to a laxative, which is a substance which eases defecation, usually by softening the stool.[1] It is possible for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic. However, agents such as psyllium seed husks increase the bulk of the stool.[2]
Cathartics such as sorbitol are sometimes used in response to poisoning.[3]
As an adjective, cathartic means psychotherapeutic, healthful, emotionally beneficial; releasing; emotionally purging: viewing art or listening to music may be a kind of cathartic experience.
In general cathartics are;
- causing emptying of the bowels.
- an agent that empties the bowels.
- producing emotional catharsis.
- bulk cathartic one stimulating bowel evacuation by increasing fecal volume.
- lubricant cathartic one that acts by softening the feces and reducing friction between them and the intestinal wall.
- saline cathartic one that increases fluidity of intestinal contents by retention of water by osmotic forces and indirectly increases motor activity.
- stimulant cathartic one that directly increases motor activity of the intestinal tract.
References
- ↑ Cathartics at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
- ↑ http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/catharsis.html
- ↑ Template:FPnotebook