In general, a laxative is any medication that will cause a person to have a bowel movement. 1  Laxatives vary widely both in their form and in their effectiveness. Laxatives that are used before a colonoscopy, for example, are going to work quicker and with more vigor than ones that are used for a case of occasional constipation.
- Family and Medical Leave Act Advisor. Serious Health Condition. For purposes of FMLA, serious health condition means an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care or continuing treatment by a health care provider.
FMLA: Serious Health Condition Being Redefined. Two recent federal appellate court rulings (4th and 8th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals) seem to be redefining what is meant by a serious health condition in terms of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Both courts relied heavily on the definition of serious health condition outlined in the law (see App.