Laxative Abuse
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KEY POINTS
- Laxative abuse means that you use laxatives more often or longer than needed.
- Treatment includes stopping the use of laxatives and making changes in your diet.
- To help prevent laxative abuse, eat more fiber-rich foods, drink plenty of liquids, and exercise regularly.
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What is laxative abuse?
Laxatives are medicines used to treat constipation. Having constipation means that you have a bowel movement fewer than 3 times a week, or have bowel movements that are hard and may be painful to pass. The bowel movements, also called stool, are usually hard, dry, and small. The main types of laxatives are:
- Bulk laxatives, such as fiber supplements, pull water into your bowel movements. The extra water makes your bowel movements larger, but softer, and easier to pass.
- Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, make the stool slippery and easier to pass.
- Stool softeners, such as docusate, increase the amount of water in the stool and makes it softer and easier to pass.
- Stimulant laxatives, such as milk of magnesia and some other laxatives, help the bowel muscles push the stool through the bowel.
Laxative abuse means that you use laxatives daily for more than 1 week. Long-term use can make your body depend on the laxative for regular bowel movements.
What is the cause of laxative abuse?
- You may be using laxatives because you are constipated often.
- Some people use laxatives to regulate their bowel movements, even when they are not constipated. Eating too little food or not eating regularly can cause bowel movements to be less frequent, without being true constipation. This can happen when you are sick or depressed.
- Some people use laxatives because they think it can help them lose weight. Laxatives do not help you lose fat, but can cause your body to lose too much water.
What are the symptoms?
Using laxatives too often or too long may cause symptoms such as:
- Loss of too much fluid from the body (dehydration)
- Imbalances of potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes (Electrolytes help control the amount of fluid in your body and the way your muscles, nerves, and organs work.)
- Bloating or swelling in your legs
- Bleeding from the rectum due to having bowel movements too often
- Constipation because your bowels are no longer able to work well without the drugs
If constipation lasts 2 to 3 weeks, see your health care provider to make sure you don’t have a medical problem causing the constipation.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you.
How is it treated?
The most important treatment is to stop using laxatives. This may cause temporary constipation, but it will go away. Treatment also includes drinking plenty of liquids every day and eating a healthy diet.
How can I take care of myself?
Here are some things you can do to relieve constipation without depending on laxatives:
- Add more fiber to your diet by eating whole-grain bread and cereal, beans, bran muffins, brown rice, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Avoid foods that have little or no fiber such as cheese, chips, and ice cream.
- Exercise regularly. For example, if you are able, walk for at least 30 minutes every day. Remember to start slow (5 to 10 minutes at first, then increase your time each day or two) and check with your healthcare provider before you add any new exercise.
- Drink enough liquids, especially water, each day to keep your urine light yellow in color.
To lose weight in a healthy way, your plan should include:
- Eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans
- Choosing lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs or egg whites, nuts, seeds, soy foods, and fat-free or low-fat milk products
- Limiting amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars
- Exercising for 30 minutes 5 days a week, or 2 hours and 30 minutes weekly, in addition to your regular activities
