Does Zoloft Cause Constipation?

Zoloft is a medication commonly used to treat depression. But what are the side effects? If you are currently on Zoloft and experiencing constipation or diarrhea, this article was designed for you. Learn what you can do, to prevent yourself from becoming constipated while treating your depression.

Zoloft is a prescription medication most commonly prescribed to treat depression. It may also be used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), anger, emotional instability, or anxiety during the two weeks prior to menstruation. Other conditions treated with Zoloft include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although Zoloft can be very effective for treating these disorders, there are a number of side effects to watch out for when taking the medication, as listed below.

Side Effects of Zoloft

There are a number of side effects to Zoloft that are listed by the manufacturer. These include:

• Abdominal pain
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Decreased sex drive
• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Difficulty with ejaculation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Gas
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• Mania (out of control behavior) or hypomania
• Minor weight loss in adults
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Pain
• Possible allergic reaction
• Rash
• Sexual side effects
• Sleepiness
• Sore throat
• Tingling or pins and needles
• Tremor
• Vision problems
• Vomiting
• Weight loss in children

Many of the side effects of Zoloft will go away if you stop taking the medication. Of course, if it is helping you cope with your depression or other disorder, stopping treatment is not a good idea. Therefore, you need to find ways to take the medication without having to deal with the side effects.

Treating the Side Effects of Zoloft

Side effects such as indigestion may be successfully treated with dietary changes. Avoid spicy foods and any other foods that might further irritate your indigestion. To address sleepiness, taking a planned nap at some point in the day may be just enough to get you up and going again. Just 15 minutes in the afternoon may be all that it takes to help you feel more refreshed.

Other side effects, such as tingling and tremors, will likely subside after your body adjusts to the medication. If you are experiencing these side effects, it is a good idea to contact your doctor. More than likely, he or she will advise you to continue with the medication for a week or two in order to see if your body will become better adjusted to the medication. Drinking plenty of fluids can help your body in this process.

If you are dealing with constipation, which is one of the less common side effects of Zoloft, you might be able to better regulate your bowel movements by increasing the amount of fiber in your diet. Fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, and in grains. Once again, consuming water throughout the day can also be beneficial.

Determining if the Constipation is Caused by taking Zoloft

Constipation is considered to be one of the less common side effects of Zoloft, even if the manufacturer lists it as a possible side effect. On the other hand, diarrhea is actually a far more common side effect of the medication. Obviously, these two conditions are quite different from one another and would require different approaches to resolving the issue.

There is no clear reason for a side effect of diarrhea, though it may simply be due to the anxiety and nervousness the medication causes or the users’ unique digestive sensitivities. Similarly, there is no clear reason for the link between Zoloft and constipation, though it might be because of a dehydrating effect on the body.

Simply having a case of constipation while taking Zoloft does not guarantee the problem is caused by the medication. In fact, occasional constipation is a common health concern, whether you are on medication or not. But, if you usually have regular bowel movements and discover things are starting to get bound up after taking Zoloft, there may be a connection between the two. Similarly, if the constipation is long lasting or causes pain, the Zoloft may be inadvertently causing you to suffer from constipation.

Obviously, you do not want to spend the rest of your life suffering from constipation just because you are trying to alleviate depressive feelings. So, take the steps necessary to change your diet and your lifestyle in order to help alleviate the problem. Makes sense right? Start by eating a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables, getting regular exercise, and trying an oxygen-based colon cleanser like Oxy-Powder to help keep your colon functioning normally and clean. Not only will these lifestyle changes help relieve your constipation, you just mind find that it helps you better fight off your negative feelings as well!

About the Author:
The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center is sponsored by Global Healing Center, Inc. The Resource Center’s website features information on constipation, articles on colon cleansing, and research on the latest treatments. For more information, please visit The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center.

By C. Olon Published: 4/18/2007

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Many people use Epsom salts to treat their constipation. Epsom salts work like a laxative. The salts can be mixed with water and taken orally or used in an enema. Epsom salts operate by increasing water in the intestines and they can bring temporary relief to someone suffering from constipation. However, there are dangers in using Epsom salts to relieve constipation and many people are unaware of them.

First, many people don’t know what Epsom salt truly is. Epsom salt is just a trade name for magnesium sulfate. One tablespoon of the salt contains about 35g (grams) of magnesium sulfate, or roughly 3.4g of elemental magnesium. This is a very large amount, especially if you understand the daily-recommended allowance is between 300-400 mg (milligrams) per day. Many people do not realize ingesting too much Epsom salt can result in death. Between 1841 and 1909, seven patients were reported to have magnesium toxicity and five of them died. The first reported death by using an Epsom salt enema was in 1943. Sadly, magnesium enemas were commonly used on infants up until the early 1970’s when it was discovered as the cause in some deaths brought on by hypermagnesemia.

Epsom salts have many uses and consumers purchase it without giving it a second thought. However, the infrequent reports of death brought on by magnesium toxicity should give pause for concern. Epsom salts should not be ingested or used in an enema if you have preexisting stomach pain, vomiting, or nausea. Women who are pregnant or nursing should talk with their doctor before using Epsom salts to relieve constipation. It is not known whether Epsom salts are harmful to an unborn fetus or nursing baby. In addition, certain drugs may interact negatively with Epsom salts. These include tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline, sparfloxacin, penicclamine, digoixin, and nitrofurantoin. It is important to consult with your doctor before taking Epsom salts if you use any of these medications. To be completely safe you should talk with your doctor about Epsom salts if you take any over the counter medications, minerals, vitamins, or herbal products whatsoever.

If you are suffering from digestive trouble and you have been using Epsom salts to relieve constipation, you may be concerned after reading these statements. You may also be interested with using another method to alleviate your constipation. The first step to alleviating constipation is to start by improving your diet. Eat more fresh fruits and raw vegetables and add flaxseeds, brown wild rice, and whole grains to your diet. You should also consume at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day and exercise regularly. Exercising three to four times a week for 20 to 30, minutes can help to alleviate constipation. You do not have to do something major like engage in "boot camp" programs or running a marathon. Simple things like walking after dinner or climbing the stairs instead of taking an elevator can go far in getting your bowels moving more regularly.

Lastly, you can help alleviate constipation by avoiding laxatives. That may sound like a contradiction, but it is true. Laxatives can aggravate constipation because they make your bowels sluggish and dependent upon the chemicals to work. In addition, laxatives can cause other intestinal problems such as diarrhea and bloating, and they can even damage your intestinal lining over the long term.

An alternative to laxatives is performing a colon cleanse. By using an all-natural product such as Oxy-Powder, you can cleanse your body of impacted feces in a safe and effective manner. One reason Oxy-Powder is recommended is because it’s non-invasive and it does not remove the good bacteria necessary for a healthy intestine. Oxy-Powder works by liquefying and clearing out the sludge, fecal matter, and mucus lodged in your colon and intestinal system. In addition to bringing immediate constipation relief, Oxy-Powder also creates an environment welcoming to the "good bacteria" aiding in healthy digestion.

What can you expect from Oxy-Powder in terms of results? As stated, it will liquefy the hard matter presently lodged in your system. You will have watery stools; however, this should not be confused with diarrhea, which is caused by viral infection of the digestive tract. The liquefying effect is simply a byproduct of the oxidation process. When you are first introducing your body to Oxy-Powder you should monitor how your body responds to it. While you will not have the harsh urge to go to the bathroom like you would if you had used an enema, you will have to go to the bathroom frequently and you will have extra gas. So it is recommended to stay close to a bathroom during your initial colon cleansing program.

Now that you have some pertinent information on Epsom salts, do your body a favor and save them for your bath water. Do not ingest Epsom salts to relieve constipation or use them in an enema unless you are directed to do so by a qualified physician. There are safer ways to alleviate constipation that also provides effective, long-term results and are healthier for you without all the negative side effects. Be good to your colon and it will be good to you!

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center is sponsored by Global Healing Center, Inc. The Resource Center’s Web site features information on constipation, articles on colon cleansing, and research on the latest treatments. For more information, please visit The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center.

By C. Olon Published: 3/20/2007

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