Patient was educated on Mineral Oil and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Mineral Oil is slimy and coats the inner lining of the intestines making the intestinal wall slippery.
- This prevents the stool sticking to the inner lining of the intestines, which contributes towards preventing slow movement of the stool along the intestines.
- Water is gradually absorbed from the stool, as it travels along the intestines, making the stool dry and harder. Coating of the intestines with Mineral Oil prevents absorption of water from the intestines and consequently, water is retained in the stool, keeping it wet and soft.
- As the slimy Mineral Oil coats the inner lining of the intestines, the travel time of the stool along the intestines is shortened, before it is eliminated.
- Shortening the transit time along the intestines prevents the stool from drying and maintains it soft, which is easy to be eliminated.
- Allow 8 to 10 hours to have a bowel movement, after taking the Mineral Oil.
