Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists01:23

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

1.4K
Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
1.4K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives01:22

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives

863
Laxatives enhance bowel movements and alleviate constipation. They augment the stool's bulk, stimulate intestinal muscle contractions, draw water into the intestines, or soften the stool. There are five key types of laxatives: bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives, stool softeners, and lubricant laxatives.
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This...
863
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

1.5K
Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
1.5K
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS01:17

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

950
Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
950
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

1.4K
Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
1.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Outcomes of stoma for faecal incontinence.

Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland·2026
Same author

Treatment interval in curative treatment of colon cancer and its impact on (cancer-free) survival in high-risk and non-high-risk patients.

Journal of geriatric oncology·2026
Same author

Stoma irrigation among patients with a permanent colostoma-a cross-sectional survey of stoma care nurses in Austria and Germany.

Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland·2026
Same author

Living 20 years with perineal colostomy and dynamic graciloplasty - a case report discussing the role of this approach.

International journal of colorectal disease·2026
Same author

Outcomes of rechargeable sacral neuromodulation for faecal incontinence: A single-centre observational study.

Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland·2025
Same author

Cohort-specific determinants of donor strain engraftment following multi-donor faecal microbiota transplantation in two randomised clinical trials.

Gut microbes·2025
Same journal

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with type 2 diabetes: a target trial emulation study.

Gut·2026
Same journal

Dysregulated sphingolipid metabolismdrives pancreatic carcinogenesis through plasma membrane Kras enrichment.

Gut·2026
Same journal

USP20 promotes CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell exhaustion and impairs KRAS<sup>G12D</sup> inhibitor efficacy by orchestrating cholesterol metabolism and autophagy in pancreatic cancer.

Gut·2026
Same journal

CTCF-rs705704-SUOX axis is important for the association between hypothyroidism and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Gut·2026
Same journal

<i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection, treatment and colorectal cancer risk by genetic predisposition: evidence from two randomised trials.

Gut·2026
Same journal

Correction: Sodium+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide as target therapy for liver fibrosis.

Gut·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
09:35

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain

Published on: May 10, 2017

19.9K

Sacral nerve stimulation for intractable constipation.

Michael A Kamm1, Thomas C Dudding, Jarno Melenhorst

  • 1University Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065, Australia. mkamm@unimelb.edu.au

Gut
|March 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) offers an effective treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation, improving bowel movement frequency and quality of life for patients resistant to conventional therapies.

More Related Videos

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation
04:42

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation

Published on: June 26, 2018

15.3K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Abdominal VNS for Inflammatory Conditions
07:17

Author Spotlight: Exploring Abdominal VNS for Inflammatory Conditions

Published on: January 19, 2024

3.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
09:35

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain

Published on: May 10, 2017

19.9K
Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation
04:42

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation

Published on: June 26, 2018

15.3K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Abdominal VNS for Inflammatory Conditions
07:17

Author Spotlight: Exploring Abdominal VNS for Inflammatory Conditions

Published on: January 19, 2024

3.4K

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Neurology
  • Surgical Innovation

Background:

  • Idiopathic constipation, particularly slow transit constipation and impaired evacuation, presents significant challenges with traditional surgical interventions due to variable outcomes and morbidity.
  • Conservative treatments often fail for intractable cases, necessitating advanced therapeutic options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) in improving symptoms, physiological function, and quality of life for patients with refractory idiopathic constipation.
  • To assess the impact of SNS on defecation frequency, straining, sensation of incomplete evacuation, and overall well-being.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, multi-center European study involving patients with idiopathic constipation who failed conservative management.
  • A 21-day test stimulation phase was followed by permanent neurostimulator implantation in patients demonstrating >50% symptom improvement.
  • Primary endpoints included increased defecation frequency and decreased straining and sensation of incomplete evacuation.

Main Results:

  • Of 62 patients undergoing test stimulation, 45 proceeded to chronic SNS, with 87% achieving treatment success.
  • Significant improvements were observed in weekly defecation frequency (2.3 to 6.6), reduced toileting time, straining, and incomplete evacuation perception.
  • Patient-reported outcomes, including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation scores, and quality of life, showed marked improvement. Colonic transit normalized in 50% of slow-transit patients.

Conclusions:

  • Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a highly effective treatment for idiopathic slow and normal transit constipation that is resistant to conservative therapies.
  • SNS provides significant symptomatic relief and improves the quality of life for patients with challenging constipation disorders.