This can result in organ failure or death. In anorexia nervosa, continued medical complications can occur and bone loss due from mineral loss with laxative abuse and can result in premature osteoporosis and bone fractures [3]. Kidneys are also damaged not only from low white blood cell count but also prolonged dehydration from a lack in ingestion of liquids and laxative misuse.
This can lead to kidney failure. Working with your physician or a medical doctor who specializes in eating disorders is important for a person who is trying to cease use of laxatives. When being monitored, the doctor can promote your medical needs for organ, mineral, and body damage and repair. When working with your doctor and tapering off laxatives, you may feel anxious, feelings of fullness and have a sense of distress.
Be patient with your body as it readjusts and relearns how to re-regulate itself and respond to natural cues. Remembering to eat foods high in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Scheduling an appointment with a dietician or nutritionist can help you slowly reincorporate foods into your meal plan to allow for natural reregulation.
Drinking at least 8 cups of water a day is also typically recommended by your medical team for proper hydration and repair to cells and tissues. Some dieticians will also recommend gentle walks at some point during the day to gently help with natural bowel movements. Yoga or gentle non-aerobic exercises are used to help with this process. Working with a therapist is helpful to deal with mental health issues that can arise from laxative abuse.
With dehydration, mineral and nutrient loss can cause depression, anxiety or other comorbid problems. Being able to address those along with the physical side effects of laxative abuse can be a good sounding board for many individuals. Knowing what the physical side effects that there are with laxative abuse and misuse can help you identify if you are overusing laxatives. If you feel that you are struggling with how to stop, seek out medical staff, clinical therapeutic staff, and dietician support.
Libby has been practicing in the field of eating disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety and other comorbid issues in various agencies. Libby lives in the St. Louis area with her husband and two daughters. There are also some other important things to consider :. Laxatives should only be taken occasionally and for short periods of time. There are some natural alternatives to laxatives and lifestyle changes that can help alleviate constipation :. What happens inside the body after a person eats dictate how they put on weight and how long it takes to process nutrients.
Find out the typical…. We look at some possible natural alternatives to laxatives for people looking to have a bowel movement. We also look at when to see a doctor.
Epsom salt is a widely available home remedy for many ailments, including constipation. A person can use Epsom salt as a laxative by mixing it with…. How much, and how often should….
Share on Pinterest Laxatives are often used to relieve constipation, a common gastrointestinal complaint. Share on Pinterest Negative side effects include bloating, feeling sick, and abdominal discomfort. Medically reviewed by Xixi Luo, M.
Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Tips for better digestion - how long does it take? Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.
Natural remedies for constipation. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. 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. Mental health problems are also a risk of laxative abuse. People who suffer from constipation because on ongoing laxative use often feel uncomfortable and ill as well as ashamed and embarrassed of their problems.
People suffering from diarrhea due to laxative use may want to stay close to a bathroom and so isolate themselves socially. As most people who abuse laxatives want to keep their problem hidden, shame and stress are the natural results. There was a recent study carried out which was published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders which involved people who had received treatment for an eating disorder.
This showed that a quarter of them reported that they had abused laxatives during the previous month. Those suffering from anorexia nervosa were more likely to report that they misused laxatives. Laxative abuse has also been shown to be common among people who have not yet been diagnosed with an eating disorder. This shows that experimentation with laxative abuse often begins during the teenage years.
Some people who have bulimia use laxatives to purge themselves, while those who have anorexia use them to control the number of calories they consume. People who have anorexia with purging behaviors also abuse laxatives. People who use laxatives for purging themselves have often been suffering for a long time, about ten years on average.
If the abuse continues for extended periods, the chances of suffering from long-term health complications become much higher, even if they stop using laxatives. To make matters even more complicated for anyone with an eating disorder, when someone who has abused laxatives then stops using them, they often experience rapid weight gain because their body is rehydrating.
This speedy weight gain often triggers additional purging, bingeing or calorie restricting behavior. Patients will also require rehydration and to have the minerals and electrolytes in their body stabilized.
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