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.
Serious injury means any of the following: 1  Any physical harm that carries a substantial risk of death. 2  Any physical harm that involves a permanent incapacity, either partial or total; or a temporary substantial incapacity. 3  Any physical harm that involves a permanent disfigurement, or a temporary serious disfigurment.