Cathartic
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{{otheruses|catharsis (disambiguation)}}
In medicine, a [[cathartic]] is a substance which ''accelerates'' [[defecation]].
This is in contrast to a [[laxative]], which is a substance which ''eases'' defecation, usually by softening the [[Feces|stool]].<ref>{{MeshName|Cathartics}}</ref> It is possible for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic. However, agents such as [[psyllium seed husks]] increase the bulk of the stool.<ref>[http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/catharsis.html The MSDS HyperGlossary: Catharsis<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Cathartics such as [[sorbitol]] are sometimes used in response to [[poisoning]].<ref>{{FPnotebook|ER70}}</ref>
As an adjective, [[cathartic]] means psychotherapeutic or emotionally beneficial; viewing art or listening to music may be cathartic experiences.
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{Dorlands|c_15|12219134}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Cathartic}}
{{medicine-stub}}
[[es:Catártica]]