What Are Laxatives?
Laxatives are medicines used to treat constipation by loosening the bowels to make passage easier or stimulating the lower intestine to push the stool out. Doctors may recommend laxative use occasionally for people with constipation and eating disorders, but in recent times laxative use has become an everyday or frequent occurrence. It is available in over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacies and drugstores. Different forms of laxatives are available such as suppositories, pills, powders, or liquids, which can be used depending on the needs of each people. They can be taken once or twice a day to work effectively. Different types of laxatives are:
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Bulk-Forming Laxatives - It works like fiber by increasing the bulk of the stool. They are considered as safest kind of laxative; however, side effects can occur if used frequently or in high doses.
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Osmotic Laxatives - It increases water from the bowels to soften the stool. It can cause electrolyte imbalance and fluid change when they are abused.
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Stimulant Laxatives - They increase bowel movement speed by intestinal contraction. They are meant for short-term use; if used for long periods, they can be habit-forming drugs.
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Stool Softener Laxatives - These drugs add moisture to the digestive tract, making the stool pass easily. It should also be taken for a limited period with caution.
Why Do People Abuse Laxatives?
Laxatives are being misused for various reasons, despite their side effects. There is a common misconception among people that laxatives are safe and can be frequently used or in whatever quantity can be consumed without risking any major side effects. This false belief has led people to become addicted to laxatives.
Most people take it as a mistake, believing they have chronic constipation while they are suffering from diseases like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some people consume laxatives as they cannot access stronger medication for their digestive issues. Also, many rely on laxatives, believing it helps in weight management. Sometimes, in the cases of individuals with eating disorders, they believe that laxatives will help reduce weight by flushing out the large intestine's contents. But the actual fact is that laxatives act by diverging water from different organs to reduce constipation and intestinal discomfort. This can result in dehydration and damage to other organ functions in the long run.
What Are the Risks Associated With Laxative Abuse?
Using laxatives regularly makes the body depend on the help of the laxative to move waste out of the body. In a short duration, users may become both physically and psychologically dependent on laxatives without their realization. Laxative abuse has many potential short-term and long-term health consequences as the following:
Chronic Constipation - Laxative abuse can actually worsen constipation leading to a chronic condition. Laxatives act by stimulating or irritating the large intestine nerves, which in turn contract the intestine muscles and push the stool out of the body. Prolonged use or consumption of laxatives in large quantities can lead to intestinal nerve damage. Also, making the colon empty is harmful, as the function of the colon muscles is prevented from working as how they should, leading to the gradual weakening of the muscles. These effects can interfere with normal bowel movements making the person dependent on large doses of a laxative to move stool out. Laxative abuse can make people go weeks without a bowel movement.
Diarrhea - Improper use of laxatives can lead to diarrhea and gas traps in the intestines, making people feel full and bloated. This may trigger the laxative user to consume more laxatives to treat their symptoms. Also, frequent bowel movements due to diarrhea can irritate the rectum and anus, causing bleeding, sores, or pain during bowel movements.
Severe Dehydration - Laxatives remove waste and water from the body. Laxative abuse can remove excess fluid through diarrhea, making the laxative users become dehydrated. It can turn fatal if prompt treatment is not provided, as it puts excess stress on other internal organs. Dehydration puts stress on the organs and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Common symptoms of dehydration are thirst, decreased urination, light-headedness, diminished sweating, headache, dry mouth, confusion, weakness, and fatigue.
Electrolyte Imbalance - Prolonged laxative use can disrupt the electrolyte imbalance in the body. Electrolytes, like chloride, sodium, and potassium, are lost at an increased rate in diarrhea. In the long run, electrolyte imbalances can affect the kidneys and heart and can turn fatal in some people.
Risk of Colon Cancer - Laxative overuse can result in various colon-related complications, such as darkening of the colon, distension of the colon, and colon infections. With prolonged laxative abuse, the is an increased risk of colon cancer.
Rectal Prolapse - Severe diarrhea caused by laxative abuse can lead to rectal prolapse. A condition in which the inside of the intestines protrudes through the anal opening. It can cause a lot of discomfort and requires surgical correction.
Infections - Usually, the gut mucosa is coated with a protective layer of mucus, preventing irritation to the walls of the intestine. Additionally, the intestine contains bacteria that are important for the functioning of the immune system and overall health. Laxative abuse destroys the protective mucus and these bacteria, which makes the intestines vulnerable to irritation and infection.
What Is the Treatment for Laxative Abuse?
It is important to stop misusing laxatives as soon as possible. The treatment mainly depends on the severity of the attachment to laxatives used and its impact on the body. The treatment for laxative abuse mainly involves psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). During treatment, the health care professional will identify and change negative patterns of behavior and thoughts in a patient, treat co-occurring mental health disorders, improve the body image and self-esteem, and address any underlying trauma. If the patient has developed a dependency on laxatives, a few health tips will be provided to regulate the bowel movements naturally:
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Include high-fiber foods in the diet.
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Eat at least three times a day at regular intervals.
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Drink plenty of water.
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Avoid fatty and processed food.
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Exercise regularly.
If a patient complains of physical complications due to laxative abuse, immediate consultation with a healthcare provider is needed. Also, consulting a nutritionist will help in setting healthy diet plans.
Conclusion
Laxatives are medications that help in treating constipation. Laxatives are misused due to faulty beliefs in treating eating disorders and weight loss. But long-term use of laxatives can be dangerous and also cause many harmful health issues like diarrhea, dehydration, gas, electrolyte imbalance, chronic constipation, etc. So it is necessary to consult a healthcare professional if a person is experiencing constipation and follow a proper diet.
