How Do You Spell LAXATIVES?

Pronunciation: [lˈaksətˌɪvz] (IPA)

The word "laxatives" has an interesting spelling due to the presence of the letter "x", which makes a "ks" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ˈlæk.sə.tɪvs/. The "l" is pronounced with the tongue touching the upper teeth, followed by a short "a" sound. The "ks" sound is represented by the letter "x", and the "ə" represents the schwa sound, which is pronounced in the second syllable. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound and a "v" sound before the "s".

LAXATIVES Meaning and Definition

1. Laxatives are substances or medications designed to promote bowel movements and relieve constipation. They are commonly used to alleviate the discomfort and difficulty associated with infrequent or hard stool passage. Laxatives work by either increasing stool volume, softening the stool, or stimulating the muscles in the intestines to propel waste materials through the digestive tract.

   There are several types of laxatives available, including bulk-forming laxatives, stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, and stimulant laxatives. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium or methylcellulose, work by absorbing water in the intestines, increasing stool size and promoting regular bowel movements. Stool softeners, such as docusate sodium, help by adding moisture to the stool, making it easier to pass.

   Osmotic laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or lactulose, increase the amount of water in the intestines, softening the stool and easing passage. Stimulant laxatives, such as bisacodyl or senna, stimulate the muscles lining the intestines, causing them to contract and move waste through more rapidly.

   While generally safe when used as directed, prolonged or excessive use of laxatives can lead to dependency, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and damage to the digestive system. Therefore, it is important to follow the instructions provided by healthcare professionals and to consult with them if constipation persists or worsens despite using laxatives.

Top Common Misspellings for LAXATIVES *

• laxitives 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LAXATIVES

• laxetives
• laxitive
• laxativee
• kaxatives
• paxatives
• oaxatives
• lzxatives
• lsxatives
• lwxatives
• lqxatives
• lazatives
• lacatives
• ladatives
• laxativese
• laxtives
• Lauratives

Etymology of LAXATIVES

The word "laxatives" has its etymology rooted in the Latin language. It ultimately derives from the Latin word "laxare", meaning "to loosen" or "to open wide". This term evolved into the Latin adjective "laxativus" which meant "loosening" or "relaxing". From there, it was adapted into late Latin as "laxativus", and eventually found its way into English as "laxative" during the late 16th century. The term "laxatives" is used to describe substances or medications that promote bowel movements or relieve constipation.