Common "Stool Softener" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Stool Softener

A stool softener is also called an emollient laxative. It helps to soften the stool, and it is a good option to treat constipation. Docusate sodium is used as a stool softener capsule that helps in bowel movements, and it is used in persons who should avoid straining during bowel movements.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

My stitch from the normal delivery has not healed. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I had a normal delivery five months back, but I can still see one stitch, which has not healed properly. The skin is still raw near the vagina. It does not hurt, but only when I pee or when water touches there, it stings. Please help. I do not want to get restitched, as it has been a l...  Read Full »


Dr. Balakrishnan R

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do not worry. This is not infected, it is just a skin gap. Nearly everyone will have this much of wound gaping. This is more if the stitch was put very tight, it will cut through. This does not need any resuturing. But you will have to avoid sex till fully healed, or else...  Read Full »

My son has constipation. Is barium enema needed?

Query: Hi doctor, I have gotten two different opinions from two pediatricians about my 8 months old boy. One says my boy has Hirschsprung's disease, and the other says it is just constipation. The first doctor did a rectal exam, yielding no explosive stools, and he wants my son to get a barium enema. The ...  Read Full »


Dr. Faisal Abdul Karim Malim

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. There seems to be a lot of confusion that has been created. See here are my valid points: A child with any chronic disease like HD (Hirschsprung's disease) will not be able to gain weight of 9.53 kg at just 8 months of age. HD is usually diagnosed quite soon after b...  Read Full »

I had constipation two weeks ago, causing anal inflammation, but today I noticed bleeding and a wound in the region. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor,I suffered constipation two weeks ago, and since my anus region has been inflamed. I used to have pain and a burning sensation when I passed a motion, but today, there was bleeding and a burning sensation since there was a scratch or wound in the region. I have been suffering from these...  Read Full »


Dr. Ghulam Fareed

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read the query, and I can understand your concern. I am carefully considering your case history and will respond to you soon. Please wait for my thorough response. I hope this will help you. Thank you.  Read Full »

I applied more Lignocaine gel on my kid. Will it cause harm?

Query: Hello doctor, My 2-year-old son has hard motions. He has just had his circumcision surgery. My friends advised me to apply Lignocaine Hydrochloride gel between his buttocks. By mistake, I applied more. I am very much worried. I hope it is not harmful. Please advice.  Read Full »


Dr. Simy Mathew

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Lignocaine (Lidocaine Topical) gel is a local anesthetic so even if you have applied more there is nothing to worry. If he is having constipation, I suggest you give him syrup Looz (Lactulose) twice daily. This is a stool softener and you can give him until his stool...  Read Full »

What causes burning sensation while passing stools?

Query: Hello doctor, My 4.5-year-old baby is complaining of a burning feel whenever he passes stool. One day he passed a hard stool since then, he is saying like that. It has been one and a half months now and is not getting healed. I can see some redness outside the anus and no idea about inside. I am app...  Read Full »


Dr. Manu Chandarashekhara Bharadwaj

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. This sometimes happens even when they are not passing hard stools. But you still will have to give stool softeners. Please do the following: 1. Do not give him any oily or spicy food for two weeks. 2. Do not give him biscuits, cakes, chocolates, chips, carbonated ...  Read Full »

I am a 22-year-old male suffering from sudden constipation and blood after defecation. Kindly help.

Query: Hello Doctor,I am a 22-year-old male, suffering from constipation at times. Last month, I also noticed blood in my stool which previously occurred last year. The blood was not mixed with stool but it is present after cleaning it. I also have acidity issues. I am concerned as I got constipated sudden...  Read Full »


Dr. Vandana Andrews

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Based on the description, you are suffering from constipation and occasional bleeding with bowel movements. Regarding your red blood in stool, this can be caused by several factors such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulitis or oth...  Read Full »

I have constipation, and I have tried various medications and measures. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor,I have constipation, and I have tried magnesium citrate, milk of magnesia, prune juice, and softeners for five days. I took lots of water, drinking at least a gallon of water for seven days. Please help.  Read Full »


Dr. Fahim Islam

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I would be happy to assist you with your query.I understand you are suffering from constipation and have tried various medications for the past five days and drinking plenty of fluids. The probable cause of your condition is constipation. No investigations are needed. Co...  Read Full »

I doubled the dose of my stool softener. Should I be worried?

Query: Hello doctor, It started three weeks ago. My stool was hard to push out, and only very little was coming out at a time since I changed my diet. Then my stool became very wet, soft, and easy to come out. Then I started Benefiber, which started making me constipated, so I stopped and started taking M...  Read Full »


Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The thin and wet stools are secondary to the use of the MiraLAX (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) powder. This is a bulk laxative, meaning it absorbs lots of water within the intestine and causes liquid quality stools. You did not mention how much Miralax you have taken. Ta...  Read Full »

I took Docusate sodium because my stool was hard, along with it I started taking Pedialyte and plenty of fluids. Still, I feel bloated. What is causing this?

Query: Hello doctor,I took Docusate sodium because my stool was hard and it had been a week since my last movement. Due to taking two within a three-day period, I do not believe I had enough liquids in my body because I threw up and had diarrhea and extreme stomach pain. After figuring out what had happene...  Read Full »


Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I read your query and understand your concern. It appears to be an acidity and gastritis. Do you also have upper abdominal pain, nausea, increase in pain on food, sour water feeling in throat or chest burning, these are the other symptoms and may be associated. You shou...  Read Full »

Should I take laxatives for constipation?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 29-year-old male. I have been experiencing something like constipation for the past one week. I have had no abdominal pain, but I feel like I need to go to the bathroom. I have a bowel movement in the morning, but I feel constipated the rest of the day. I took some stool soften...  Read Full »


Dr. Lohit Chauhan

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your complaints and what I feel is you might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but before I could make this diagnosis, I need to know, do you have abdominal pain along with your constipation part? Do you feel relieved after defecation, by relief I speci...  Read Full »

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