But it’s very important to read the label carefully and use them as directed. Laxative abuse can cause hypopotassemia with either metabolic acidosis through fecal losses of bicarbonate or metabolic alkalosis related to hypovolemia, similar to pseudo-Bartter syndrome seen in diuretic abuse. No literature, however, was found concerning about swappability of these drugs, laxatives and diuretics, in clinical fluid control. These statistics noted women between 14 to 19 endured eating disorders. Research has shown a connection between post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders like bulimia which can lead to laxative dependence.
Identifying Laxative Abuse: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
Amid high demand for laxatives, doctors are cautioning people not to overuse the products or take them for purposes other than constipation relief, such as weight loss. Even though many laxatives are available without a prescription, it’s best to talk to your healthcare team first. However, research has shown the medicines are not effective at promoting weight loss, and they can be dangerous when used for this purpose, leading to the same complications listed above.
Preventing constipation
Some products combine different types of laxatives, such as a stimulant and a stool softener. But combination products don’t necessarily work better than single-ingredient products. You might have as many as three bowel movements a day or as few as three a week. If you are having fewer bowel movements than usual, you might be constipated. Also, constipation may involve stools that are difficult to pass because they’re hard, dry or small.
Treatments for Excessive Laxative Use
Other studies have found that using laxatives for weight loss may be a sign of an eating disorder. Another potential risk of laxative use is that reliance on them may mask a medical condition, leading to delayed diagnosis. Conditions causing chronic constipation include IBS, IBD, appendicitis, and colon cancer. If the person is hospitalized, they will receive the appropriate medical treatment for whatever health complications they may be experiencing. For example, if they are dehydrated and have an electrolyte imbalance, then the medical team will rehydrate the patient via intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement. Or, if they have a colon infection, the team will administer antibiotics to clear up the infection.
Topiramate for weight loss (Topamax)
Much more attention should have been paid to her eating habit to control her salt and water intake. Those suffering from anorexia nervosa were more likely to report that they misused laxatives. Some studies have even put the rate of laxative abuse among people suffering from eating disorders as high as 60%. Some individuals may become dependent on them to induce bowel movements. With eating disorders, this often occurs when there is no physical need for laxatives on a therapeutic level. While laxative abuse can be a serious problem on its own, there may be a disordered eating problem that needs to be dealt with, too.
However, the misuse of laxatives goes beyond the occasional overuse, evolving into a dangerous practice with significant health implications. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on the complexities of laxative abuse, exploring its causes, consequences, and pathways towards recovery. Making these changes facilitates easier passage of stool, reduces the likelihood of discomfort, and encourages regular bowel movements, which all support overall digestive health. Treatment for laxative abuse will likely look similar to that of eating disorders, as it is a disordered eating behavior.
Other signs of BN include frequent trips to the bathroom or hidden stashes of food in the house. Excessive laxative use is a feature of an eating disorder called bulimia nervosa (BN). Stool softeners help bring fluid into the stools, making them softer and easier to pass.
Some people go three times a day, or three times a week,” Lisa Ganjhu, DO, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, told Verywell. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the habitual use of laxatives has even contributed to a shortage of polyethylene glycol 3350, an osmotic laxative that helps soften the stool. There can be a great deal of shame around struggling with https://sober-home.org/mdma-wikipedia/ as many are not comfortable acknowledging they experience the bowel impacts of laxative use. If you are struggling, do not allow this shame to silence you into continued pain and increasingly harmful consequences. If you or someone you love is engaging in laxative abuse, it is important to get help as soon as possible.
They can disrupt the natural muscle tone of the colon, leading to a condition known as “lazy” or atonic colon. In this state, the organ becomes less responsive to normal signals for bowel movements. This can potentially result in chronic constipation even after laxative cessation. Laxative abuse can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, organ damage, and dependence.
- For example, some people fall into a pattern of taking laxatives at higher than recommended doses or for longer periods than recommended and then become dependent on laxatives.
- Many individuals with eating disorders will experience cycles of behaviors that are characteristic of multiple eating disorders.
- The diuretics, which substituted for laxatives in fluid control, could be tapered off over 3 months without any withdrawal symptoms or a need of additional laxatives.
- Eating Disorder Solutions offers a path to healing, with personalized care and a compassionate approach.
Excessive laxative use can lead to abnormally rapid loss of sodium, potassium, and chloride, which can lead to heart damage and even death. Dehydration can also cause constipation, further exacerbating laxative dependence. June is PTSD Awareness Month, an ideal time to explore complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Unlike PTSD, CPTSD stems from prolonged trauma and has unique symptoms and impacts. Learn about CPTSD’s causes, effects, and strategies for healing and managing this challenging condition. If you think you’re abusing laxatives, it’s important to stop immediately and to dispose of any laxatives you have instead of trying to cut down on using them gradually.
The concentrated urine can irritate and injure the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body), making it more vulnerable to bacterial infection. Not only are they ineffective in maintaining a healthy weight over the long term, but they can also cause potentially severe health complications. Some people mistakenly believe that laxatives prevent the absorption of calories from food. In fact, laxatives generally work by stimulating the movement of the large intestine (colon) after calories and nutrients from food have been absorbed by the small intestine.
Everyone experiences recovery differently, and recovery is rarely linear. How long it takes to recover from laxative abuse can vary depending on the severity of the abuse, overall health, and how well the underlying mental health conditions are treated. Many individuals with eating disorders resort to taking laxatives every time they eat, which can become a psychological addiction. Those abusing laxatives may use various types, including stimulant, osmotic, and bulk-forming laxatives. However, it’s important to note that the primary effect of laxatives is to evacuate the contents of the bowel, not to promote fat loss. Laxatives are substances or medications that encourage bowel movements by loosening stools or stimulating your intestines.
Any weight loss that’s achieved by a laxative-induced bowel movement contains little food, fat, or calories. This so-called water weight returns when you drink fluids, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. These stimulant laxatives are sold over the counter, making them widely accessible. They work by stimulating the nerves in the large intestine, which causes contractions that lead to a bowel movement. Despite the fact that people don’t need a prescription to obtain stimulant laxatives, these medications can be dangerous when abused. It is recommended laxatives only be taken on a short-term basis to relieve constipation.
This can start to slow (rather than speed) digestive muscle contractions. Learn more about excessive laxative use, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment options. If you find yourself in this situation, your doctor should have suggestions on how to remedy laxative dependency and restore your colon’s ability to contract. But https://sober-home.org/ to be safe, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the laxative you’re considering and how it might interact with the other medications you’ve been prescribed. As with any OTC medication, read the laxative label carefully and talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if it’s a viable choice for you and your current state of health.
The severity of the attachment to laxative use as well as the impact on the body will determine the level of care an individual needs. The reality of the impact of laxative use on the body is very different from the myths presented. Diet culture purports that using detox teas and laxatives is an efficient and easy method of weight-loss with little effort required of the individual and few consequences. Celebrities shill laxative teas and lollipops as if their bodies are not carefully created and sculpted by chefs, fitness instructors, photoshop experts, social media specialists, and, especially, plastic surgeons. Laxative misuse can lead to severe health consequences, including dehydration, organ damage, and dependence.
By far the largest group is made up of individuals suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa. The prevalence of laxative abuse has been reported to range from approximately 10% to 60% of individuals in this group. Common side effects are constipation, fluid retention, and temporary weight gain (Eating Disorders Review, 1999). Just as any weight loss from using laxatives is temporary; it is important to remember that this weight gain is temporary and is mainly due to increased fluid retention. Due to the damage that overusing laxatives can cause, laxative abuse may lead to laxative dependence. Both conditions can lead to dangerous health consequences and require professional treatment.
The weight loss experienced is mainly due to water loss, leading to temporary changes in body weight but not affecting body fat. Although laxatives are safe for occasional and legitimate use, there exists potential for misuse. Some individuals may use laxatives excessively in an attempt to lose weight. However, laxatives are ineffective for this purpose and can cause potentially serious side effects. These can include chronic constipation, heart problems, and an increased colon cancer risk.
In therapy, your therapist can help you identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior, improve your body image and self-esteem, and address any underlying trauma that contributes to disordered eating. People who abuse laxatives can also develop a tolerance to the medications, leading them to need higher and higher doses to have a bowel movement. Overuse of laxatives (other than bulk formers) can result in the intestines losing muscle and nerve response, which can lead to dependency on laxatives to have a bowel movement. Common side effects of MiraLax include nausea, bloating, cramping, and gas. Stopping a laxative use disorder can be difficult to do at home or alone. If you are struggling to stop abusing laxatives, and have experienced a traumatic experience, you may need a hands-on approach to treatment.
The sooner one gets help for laxative abuse, the less likely they are to experience the physical consequences mentioned above. Some issues are potentially life threatening and can profoundly impact a person’s health. Continue reading to learn more about laxative misuse, including the consequences and how to find help. Over time, electrolyte imbalances can negatively affect how well your kidneys and heart work. In some cases, electrolyte loss can be fatal, leading to coma, seizures, and sudden cardiac arrest. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) issued by the APA, BN is characterized by the misuse of laxatives to “purge” after an eating binge.