Home » Healthy Living

Laxative Abuse

1 Like

Like 1

Pin It

Ranked #7,189 in Healthy Living, #122,738 overall

Laxative Abuse

Laxative abuse is generally associated with individuals who suffer from eating disorders, and use laxatives as a means of purging. This unfortunate habit actually doesn't even help people get rid of calories since the bulk of calories consumed are absorbed in the small intestine almost immediately after eating, and laxatives work on the large intestine. This overuse of laxatives results in the lower intestine becoming non-responsive, and not working correctly as a result. This is health threatening and can even be life threatening!

Results of Laxative Abuse

Dehydration - this dangerous condition affects all of an individual's body's systems, and will actually contribute to constipation.
Esophageal perforations and lacerations - these tears in your gastrointestinal tract can be fatal.
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.
Electrolyte abnormalities - Potassium, sodium and chloride are electrolytes that are necessary for the body to function correctly, and when not in balance, will negatively affect body functions.
Abdominal pain and bloating - This results from the bowel not functioning correctly and effectively.
Malabsorbtion of nutrients - This is also a result of the bowel not functioning properly, and can lead to malnutrition.
Ulceration of the bowel - Causes frequent, watery diarrhea that might be accompanied by pain and the passing of blood or mucus.
Pancreatitis - A potentially deadly condition that occurs when the pancreas is attacked by digestive enzymes.
Hemorrhoids or worsening of hemorrhoids - Uncomfortable at best, and extremely painful, accompanied by excessive swelling and bleeding, at worst.
Gastritis - inflammation of the stomach lining.

Getting Help

Anyone who abuses laxatives is risking their health and their lives. There are programs that are designed to help people get off the laxative roller coaster and back to a healthy way of living and remaining regular. If eating disorders are involved, there are many groups, health care and mental health care professionals available to help. Any person who is abusing laxatives, for whatever reason, needs to quit using laxatives altogether and retrain the body to have bowel movements with the help of the natural laxatives that are included in a healthy diet, paired with plenty of water and exercise. The transition away from laxative abuse may be difficult, but in the end, it will be worth it.