Surface Area of a Rectangular Pyramid. The surface area of a regular square pyramid is the sum of area of the base and area of four isosceles triangles. But for rectangular pyramid, with rectangular base, we can not use the standard formula of surface area because there is more than one slant height ($s_1$ and $s_2$).
Step 1. Drink plenty of water with your meals and between meals. Water helps soften your stool. If you do not drink enough fluids, your body will pull water from the colon, hardening the stools. Also avoid caffeinated beverages, which cause your body to lose water.
Stool Softener Side Effects. Stool softeners help relieve constipation and discomfort during bowel movements. They treat constipation, which can be caused by irritable bowel syndrome, prolonged hospitalization or bed rest, slowing of the intestines, or use of medications, such as narcotics that can cause constipation.