Patient was educated on Benefiber and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Benefiber when taken, is not digested in the stomach and is passed into the intestines.
- In the intestines, Benefiber absorbs water and swells to form bulky stool.
- More fluid in the stool makes the stool soft.
- The soft and bulky stool formed in the intestines will induce stimulation of the intestines to move and help to mobilize the contents of the intestines at a faster pace.
- The bulk in the stool with retained fluid makes it easy to pass the stool.
- Benefiber is considerably slow to act in comparison with other varieties of laxatives. Allow 1 to 3 days before having a bowel movement, after taking Benefiber.
- Benefiber is a very rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel and traps sugars, as the gel moves through the intestines. Trapped sugars are slowly released, which slows down their absorption into the blood. This might lower the blood sugar and lead to hypoglycemia. Soluble fiber also reduces the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream and lowers the levels of bad cholesterol in blood, the LDL.
- The insoluble fiber in Benefiber with retained fluid forms the bulk in the intestines and makes it easy to pass the stool.
- Benefiber has very little or no added sugar to it. It does not alter the blood sugar control significantly and so, is safe to use in diabetic individuals.
