Laxative Abuse
Laxative abuse is not uncommon. This common behavior is often attached to eating disorders. Laxative abuse is extremely dangerous and can result in a variety of life-threatening risks.
WHAT IS LAXATIVE ABUSE?
Laxative abuse occurs when a person repeatedly misuses laxatives in an attempt to get rid of unwanted calories, lose weight, feel thinner, or feel empty. Often laxatives are used following eating binges. Individuals mistakenly believe that that the laxatives will rush food and calories through the gut and bowels before they can be absorbed, but that is not how laxatives actually work.
LAXATIVE ABUSE: THE WEIGHT LOSS MYTH
The belief that laxatives are effective for weight control is a myth. In fact, by the time laxatives act on the large intestine, most foods and calories have already been absorbed by the small intestine. Although laxatives artificially stimulate the large intestine to empty, the “weight loss” caused by a laxative-induced bowel movement contains little actual food, fat, or calories. Instead laxative abuse causes the loss of water, minerals, electrolytes and indigestible fiber and wastes from the colon. This “water weight” returns as soon as the individual drinks any fluids and the body rehydrates. If the chronic laxative abuser refuses to rehydrate, he/she risks dehydration which further taxes the organs and which may ultimately cause death.
POTENTIAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF LAXATIVE ABUSE
- Tremors
- Bloating
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Water retention
- Colon infection
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Organ damage
- Severe abdominal pain
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Gas
- Blurry vision
- Electrolyte Disturbances
- Chronic Constipation
- Bowel tumors
- Irregular heartbeat
- Kidney damage
- Colon failure
- Death
DON’T TAKE THIS LIGHTLY! LAXATIVE ABUSE CAN WREAK HAVOC.
If you are struggling with laxative abuse or you have a friend or loved one who does, please don’t ignore it. Please take the self-test or pick up the phone and give the Transformation Center a call. If you are not in the Memphis Area, please seek help locally.
