Another risk comes from having an empty colon. This interferes with your ability to pass stools normally and so you become more dependent on laxatives, having to take larger doses over time in order to go for a bowel movement. Constipation is classed as having less the 3 bowel movements weekly and having stools which are small, dry and hard.
People who abuse laxatives may go for several weeks without having bowel movements. The symptoms of constipation are very uncomfortable and include stomach pain and bloating.
When you use laxatives, gas becomes trapped in your intestines. This makes you feel bloated and full. As a result, laxative abusers try to treat the symptoms they are experiencing by taking even more laxatives, and this established a dangerous cycle. For some people, having frequent bowel movements due to laxative abuse irritates the anus and rectum.
This causes pain, bleeding, and sores when going to the toilet. If you lose excessive fluid in the form of diarrhea, you can easily become dehydrated. The symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, thirst, light-headedness, dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, reduced sweating, and weakness. You also lose electrolytes like chloride, potassium and sodium and an abnormally high rate when you have diarrhea due to laxative abuse.
This leads to an irregular heartbeat and weakness and could even cause sudden death. In the long term, being dependent on laxative use leads to a number of long-term medical problems. This problem means that waste remains in your intestines for much longer than it should. The symptoms associated with laxative abuse can continue for a very long time, even after you stop using laxatives. Your intestines are usually coated with a mucus protective layer to prevent irritation from occurring in the intestinal walls.
There are also bacteria in the intestines which are essential for overall health and to keep your immune system functioning properly. When you abuse laxatives, these bacteria are stripped away together with the protective intestinal mucus and this leaves your intestines vulnerable to irritation and infection.
There are even studies which suggest laxative abuse could increase your chances of developing colon cancer. People who have chronic diarrhea due to laxative abuse may also cause a rectal prolapse to occur. This is when the inside of your intestines protrudes out through the anus. Usually, surgery is required to correct this problem. Most people have symptoms of laxative abuse for 1 to 3 weeks after stopping laxatives.
MYTH: If you induce diarrhea with laxatives, you can prevent the absorption of food and avoid body weight gain. FACT: Inducing diarrhea by laxatives does not significantly change the absorption of food in the body. Consequently, laxatives do not significantly prevent weight gain.
What appears to be weight loss is actually dehydration or water deprivation. Laxatives work near the end of the bowel, where they primarily affect absorption of water and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. They thus work after most of the nutrients from the food have been absorbed into the body. MYTH: You need to use a laxative every time you feel constipated. This is especially true of people who have problems with eating.
Eating too little food or eating sporadically can result in the sensation of constipation. In this case the problem is not constipation but poor eating habits. MYTH: When you actually are constipated, you need to use a laxative. FACT: People who use excessive amounts of laxatives will eventually find the exact opposite happening—the laxatives will cause reflex constipation. MYTH: All laxatives are alike. FACT: There are many different types of laxatives that are taken by mouth or as a suppository.
The ones most commonly used are:. Bulk agents promote bowel movement. However, when these bulk agents are misused, they have the same psychological consequences as regular laxatives. Misusing these agents must be discontinued. MYTH: Laxatives, particularly over-the-counter products, are safe. FACT: Laxative abuse can be medically dangerous. Laxative abuse is defined as 1 use of laxative for weight control, or 2 frequent use of laxatives over an extended period of time.
The medical complications of laxative abuse depend on several factors, including the type of laxatives used, the amount used, and how long they have been used. While any of these laxatives can be abused, the typical choice for those with an eating disorder is stimulant laxatives.
While there may be a short-term benefit in using these teas or supplements for the occasional constipation, these are not meant to be used regularly. As with laxatives, the digestive tract can develop a dependence on them.
There can also be rebound weight gain as water returns to the intestines and colon. This increase in weight can trigger individuals to continue using laxatives, but for a longer amount of time, and in higher quantities. Using these herbal products and supplements can be just as harmful as purchasing a package of laxatives from the grocery store. Laxative abuse, unfortunately, is more common than most people realize.
People with anorexia were most likely to report misuse of laxatives, compared to those with bulimia or binge eating disorder. Laxative abuse is also common among people not diagnosed, or not yet diagnosed, with eating disorders. A study in the journal Pediatrics of 13, young people ages 13 to 25 found that by age 23 to 25, Males reported virtually no laxative abuse, but were much more likely to use muscle building substances than females.
In this study, females began experimenting with laxative use during their teenage years. Laxatives may be used by people with bulimia to purge, and also with anorexia to control calories consumed. Laxative abuse is also common among a subgroup of individuals who have anorexia with purging behavior. Those who use laxatives to purge often demonstrate longer duration of illness, around 10 years on average.
The longer the duration of anorexia and laxative abuse, the more likely the individual will suffer extended health complications throughout life, even after the behavior ceases. To complicate matters even further for people with eating disorders, when individuals who have abused stimulant laxatives stop using the medication, they can experience quick weight gain due to rehydration. This fast weight gain can trigger additional binging, purging, or calorie restriction behaviors.
When people start using laxatives, they can find it very difficult to stop. When laxative abuse is a part of an eating disorder, treatment from a team of experienced medical and mental health professionals, registered dietitians and counselors is crucial to recovery. Initially, patients need to be rehydrated and body electrolytes and minerals stabilized. This process should be carefully monitored by medical professionals with expertise in eating disorders. Since laxative abuse also has a psychological component, support from healthcare providers, therapists and family is also important.
People who have abused laxatives may feel the urge to start using them again. Developing healthy coping skills, self-confidence and self-acceptance as part of a comprehensive eating disorders treatment program is important in helping people embrace their bodies as they are and resist relapsing. As individuals return to more normal eating, dietitians can help with eating plans that prevent constipation.
Drinking plenty of fluids, slowly increasing fiber in the diet through eating fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and whole grain cereals, and exercising regularly are each important.
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