Constipation is marked by slow indigestion and slow movement of the bowels, and while that might not sound too bad, constipation, as a whole, can be quite painful, and a pain in the butt (literally).
On the other hand, Pepto Bismol is a drug that has been widely used to treat diarrhea and other digestive ailments and has a strong effect on the digestive system. This effect has people asking one question that we've sought to be quite recurring, and it's whether pepto bismol can make you poop or not, or cure constipation as a whole.
The direct answer to that is no, it’s not something that might increase your bowel movements, and cure constipation. However, there’s a lot that goes into this debate.
This guide aims to cover all the pain points of this connection between taking pepto bismol and pooping more, so make sure to stick around till the end, and find out everything you need!
Table of Contents
An Overview Of Constipation
Constipation is a common condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools. It occurs when the movement of waste material through the colon slows down, resulting in hardened stools that are challenging to eliminate.
When it comes to finding the culprit, several different factors can contribute to this unpleasant experience, including inadequate fiber intake, insufficient fluid consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions.
What Is Pepto Bismol?
Pepto-Bismol is a well-known product in the health and wellness community and is a brand name for the salt called salt bismuth subsalicylate. It's been used not only to cure ailments like diarrhea but is great for relieving heartburn, intense nausea, stomachaches, and more.
Its active ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, works by forming a protective coating on the irritated lining of the stomach and intestine, reducing inflammation and easing symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
A great thing about pepto bismol is that they come in chewable tablet form, so you can either crunch the tablet up with your teeth, or just put it on your tongue, let it dissolve, and let the bismuth sulfide do its magic.
What Is Pepto Bismol Used For?
As we mentioned before, Pepto Bismol got increasingly famous for slowing down digestion, and catering to problems like diarrhea. The way this branded salt does that is it gives weight to the stools, making the stool bulkier and less watery, which is what usually happens when you're undergoing diarrhea.
Though the exact mechanism of pepto bismol, in the digestive tract, is mostly unknown, several studies prove it to be a great relief for digestive discomfort and traveler’s diarrhea, which seems to be a problem for a lot of people that tend to travel here and there.
Does Pepto Bismol Make You Poop?
We talked about this briefly in the beginning, but let’s get into the depths of the matter.
To put it simply, no. Taking pepto bismol won’t make you poop more, or boost your bowel movements. Sure, it’s a great way to take care of your diarrhea, but the two digestive ailments are completely different, and taking pepto bismol won’t cure both.
Since this drug belongs to a family of antidiarrheals, it cures indigestion and diarrhea but makes the stool firmer and binds the fiber to make it a bit bulkier. If you're constipated and start taking pepto bismol anytime in that time frame, it might make you even more constipated, as it will slow down your digestion even more.
Why Does My Stool Darken With Pepto Bismol?
Whether you're taking pepto bismol to get rid of your diarrhea or get that heartburn on ease, you'll notice one thing in almost every single case, and that's black stools. And trust us, that's a terrifying sight for someone that has never experienced it before.
But fret not. We’re here to explain.
To begin with, the discoloration of stools after taking pepto bismol is completely harmless and doesn't mean that there's something wrong with your digestive tract.
It only happens when Bismuth, the active ingredient in pepto bismol, reacts with the sulfur in the digestive system.
These drug interactions will make your poop look much darker, and even after you stop taking pepto bismol, your stool will remain black for a few days until it completely leaves your system.
When To Avoid Pepto Bismol?
Sure, we've talked up pepto bismol and its diverse benefits in the human body throughout this article, but there are certain situations where we recommend stopping pepto bismol from entering your body - at all costs.
Here are a couple of those situations:
-
You’re pregnant: The growing fetus inside your body can be potentially harmed by Pepto Bismol, and should be completely avoided after the 20th week of pregnancy
-
Children who have recently undergone vaccination: Pepto Bismol, as studies prove, can interact with other drugs to create unwanted results, and you certainly don’t want your children to be a part of that mess
-
You have a history of allergies: Since pepto bismol comes in chewable tablets, it could be that you're allergic to some of the components in it, which can cause hives, dizziness, nausea, and more.
Healthy Alternatives To Clear Constipation
If you’ve got constipation problems, there are better ways to solve them, and pepto bismol doesn’t mark the end of the link for you.
We’ve covered a long list of constipation-cure foods and natural supplements that get your bowels running in no time, but if you're short on time, here are a few to get you started:
Probiotic Supplements
When it comes to constipation relief, probiotic supplements have emerged as a powerful ally in promoting a healthy gut. Check out IBSupport by Gistive, which is proven to work for constipation, bloating, diarrhea, IBS, and many other digestive ailments!
By populating your intestines with friendly bacteria, probiotics help break down food, enhance nutrient absorption, and soften stools, making them easier to pass. Incorporating probiotic supplements into your daily routine can provide the much-needed support to alleviate constipation and restore harmony to your digestive system.
Cherries
When seeking a delicious and natural remedy for constipation, cherries come to the rescue. Bursting with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, cherries not only tantalize your taste buds but also help stimulate your digestive system.
The keyword here is "high fiber content", and that's what gets the job done, as it adds bulk to your stool and facilitates regular bowel movements. Cherries are particularly rich in insoluble fiber, which speeds up the transit time of waste through your colon, preventing sluggishness and constipation.
Orange Juice
It’s hard to hate orange juice as it is, and with the added digestive-complementing qualities it has, the stage is set for this vibrant elixir.
The high fiber content, as well as vitamin C, in orange juice, adds bulk to your stool, promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation.
Furthermore, the natural sugars and acids in oranges stimulate the digestive muscles, facilitating the movement of waste through your intestines. Start your day with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and let its zesty goodness revitalize your gut while keeping constipation at bay.
Take Away
There’s a lot to take away from this article, but the core of it is that pepto bismol won’t be curing your constipation anytime soon, and using it for that purpose will only make things worse, and not the opposite.
However, there are a lot of other things you can try for your constipation problem, which include taking probiotics, drinking orange juice, and eating cherries on the regular.
We've got a stream of guides that tend to your constipation woes daily, so make sure to check them out here, and subscribe to the newsletter for a whopping 10% off on all products by Gistive.