Reader’s Digest UK – August 2019

READER’S DIGEST

constipation among potential side

effects. “If your medication is giving

you bowel problems, talk to your

doctor,” Turnbull advises. “It’s

probably best to try something else.

With some medications you don’t

have a lot of options, but there are

often other drugs that can be used to

offset the symptoms.” n

Your bowel movements are important to

your overall health. And remember, if you

have any concerns—especially if you feel

unwell or there is blood in your stool—do

see a doctor

polyethylene glycol,” says Fallone.
“In general, one wants to avoid
prolonged use of agents that can
damage the colon, such as senna
products.” Senna, made from the
leaves and fruit of a plant, stimulates
bowel activity. But eventually it can
prevent your system from doing its
job naturally and shouldn’t be used
for more than a few days.

Understand Adverse Effects
All kinds of drugs, from
antidepressants to narcotics to blood
pressure pills, list diarrhea or

AUGUST 2019 • 45

THE SHOW MUST GO ON...

These rather disturbing old Hollywood facts might have you looking at your

old favourites with new eyes.

According to actress Shirley Temple, when child actors misbehaved on set

they were occasionally made to sit on blocks of ice as punishment.

Bette Davis once kicked Joan Crawford so hard during a scene in Whatever

Happened to Baby Jane? that she required stitches.

To capture the iconic hilltop scene in The Sound of Music, a camera was

strapped to a helicopter. Every time it passed her, the gusts were so strong

that Julie Andrews was flung into the grass.

In The Wizard of Oz, the “snowstorm” scene was created using asbestos.

In later life Judy Garland described how along with co-star Mickey Rooney,

she was required to take drugs that ensured she’d continue performing

long after exhaustion kicked in, and then sleeping pills to knock them out

until it was time to film the next scene. It wasn’t uncommon for the pair to

work 72 hours in a row.

The Cowardly Lion costume from The Wizard of Oz was made of real lion

hair and skin—and made more than $3m at a New York auction in 2014.

SOURCE: BUZZFEED.COM