
People with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa frequently misuse laxatives, with some studies citing that up to 75% of individuals with these conditions abuse this class of medication. Laxatives are often misused to eliminate unwanted calories, lose weight, or feel empty, but this is a dangerous myth. By the time laxatives act on the large intestine, most foods and calories have already been absorbed by the small intestine. Instead, laxative misuse causes the loss of water, minerals, electrolytes, and indigestible fiber and wastes from the colon. This can lead to dehydration and severe health complications, including organ damage and an increased risk of colon cancer.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Reason for misuse | To eliminate unwanted calories, lose weight, “feel thin,” or “feel empty” |
Laxative effectiveness | The belief that laxatives are effective for weight control is a myth |
Laxative impact | Causes the loss of water, minerals, electrolytes, and indigestible fiber and wastes from the colon |
Health consequences | Dehydration, disturbance of electrolyte and mineral balances, laxative dependency, internal organ damage, and risk of colon cancer |
Treatment | Requires working with a team of health professionals including a physician, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and dietician |
Support | Support from close friends and family is helpful |
Giving up laxatives | If you only take a small amount of laxatives or have been misusing them for a short time, you may be able to stop in one step |
If you have been misusing laxatives for a long time, it is more realistic to gradually reduce the amount taken |
What You'll Learn
Laxatives do not aid weight loss
It is a common misconception that laxatives can aid weight loss. While some people may believe that taking laxatives will prevent their body from absorbing calories, this is not true. Laxatives are medicines for constipation and are only recommended by doctors if you have problems passing stool. They do not stop your body from absorbing calories or gaining weight. The food you eat goes through many processes before it reaches your bowel and becomes stool. By the time laxatives act on the large intestine, most foods and calories have already been absorbed by the small intestine.
The weight loss caused by laxatives is only temporary and is due to water loss, not fat loss. Laxatives can cause water to pass out with the stool, making a person feel lighter. However, this effect is short-lived, and the weight will be gained back as soon as the person drinks something.
Laxatives can also cause dehydration, which can lead to serious health problems such as headaches, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and in extreme cases, even death. Additionally, they can cause an electrolyte imbalance, which can affect the proper functioning of vital organs like the heart and colon.
Instead of relying on laxatives, which are ineffective and unsafe for weight loss, it is much safer to lose weight through exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet consisting of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. Making sustainable lifestyle changes is the most effective way to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
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Laxatives can cause dehydration
Laxatives are intended to be used as a medication to treat constipation. However, some people with anorexia misuse them to get rid of food and lose weight. This is dangerous and can cause a range of health complications. One of the most serious consequences of laxative misuse is dehydration.
Laxatives deplete the body of water. The body compensates for dehydration by retaining water, which results in bloating. Dehydration can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, including feeling faint and tired, developing painful headaches, and experiencing blurred vision. It can also cause tremors, kidney damage, and even death.
Dehydration can lead to severe mineral imbalances, particularly of potassium. Potassium plays a vital role in nerve function, especially in the nerves of the heart. If potassium levels fall, the heartbeat may become irregular. This can be checked with a blood test and ECG.
Dehydration puts stress on the organs and can be fatal if not treated promptly. It is therefore important for those misusing laxatives to seek medical help.
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Laxatives can cause mineral deficiencies
Laxatives are a form of medication used to treat constipation. They are often misused by people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia in an attempt to lose weight. However, this is a dangerous myth, as laxatives do not eliminate calories and instead cause the loss of water, minerals, and electrolytes. This can lead to dehydration and a range of serious health complications, including mineral deficiencies.
Minerals are essential for the proper functioning of the body, including the nerves and muscles of vital organs such as the colon and heart. A deficiency in minerals can lead to larger health problems, including issues with digestion, muscle spasms and cramps, bone fragility, and skin disorders.
The most important mineral lost through laxative misuse is potassium. Potassium plays a vital role in nerve function, especially in the heart. A decrease in potassium levels can lead to an irregular heartbeat. Other essential minerals that can be lost include sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are also electrolytes.
Laxatives can interfere with the absorption of specific vitamins and minerals, leading to deficiencies if taken for prolonged periods. This interference with absorption can cause an imbalance in electrolytes and minerals, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
The risk of mineral deficiency is higher in those with low-calorie diets, which is often the case for individuals with eating disorders. Additionally, the misuse of laxatives can lead to severe and long-term constipation, further impacting the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Giving up laxative misuse can lead to noticeable physical improvements, including better skin and reduced bloating. It is important to seek support from health professionals and specialists in treating eating disorders to overcome laxative misuse safely and effectively.
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Laxative misuse can lead to laxative dependency
Laxatives are a form of medication used to treat constipation. They are available over the counter without a prescription. However, laxatives are often misused by individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia to eliminate unwanted calories and lose weight. This practice can lead to laxative dependency and a host of serious health complications.
Laxative misuse occurs when individuals repeatedly use laxatives to lose weight or "feel thin". It is driven by the mistaken belief that laxatives can rush out food and calories before they are absorbed by the body. This is a myth. By the time laxatives act on the large intestine, most nutrients, calories, and food have already been absorbed by the small intestine. Laxatives only cause the loss of water, minerals, electrolytes, and indigestible waste from the colon.
Laxative dependency develops from overuse. It occurs when the colon stops reacting to usual doses, requiring larger and larger amounts to produce bowel movements. This can lead to internal organ damage, including a stretched or "lazy" colon, colon infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and, in rare cases, liver damage. Chronic laxative misuse may even increase the risk of colon cancer.
The health consequences of laxative misuse are severe. It causes dehydration, which can lead to tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, and kidney damage. Additionally, the loss of essential minerals like potassium can lead to an irregular heartbeat. The artificial stimulation of the bowel muscles can also lead to a loss of bowel tone, resulting in thin and flaccid muscle walls. This can cause long-term constipation that does not respond to laxative medication.
Giving up laxative misuse can lead to noticeable physical improvements. Skin and stomach bloating will improve, and weight gain is only due to rehydration and fluid retention, not an increase in body fat. It is important to gradually reduce laxative use and adopt bowel-healthy habits, such as drinking water, eating high-fibre foods, and exercising regularly.
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Laxative misuse can cause internal organ damage
Laxatives are a form of medication used to treat constipation. They are available over the counter without a prescription. However, laxatives are often misused by individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia as a means to lose weight. This is done through the frequent and repeated use of laxatives to eliminate unwanted calories. This is a harmful practice that can cause a variety of health complications and sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Furthermore, laxative misuse can cause an imbalance of electrolytes and minerals, particularly potassium. These are necessary for the proper functioning of nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. A disturbance in these vital substances can lead to improper functioning of these organs. For example, low potassium levels can cause an irregular heartbeat.
In rare cases, chronic laxative misuse can also lead to liver and kidney damage. This is due to the dehydration caused by the loss of fluids and the body's inability to rehydrate. Severe dehydration may cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and even death.
It is important to seek medical advice and support if you or someone you know is misusing laxatives. Treatment for laxative misuse involves a comprehensive approach, including stopping laxative use, psychological intervention, and supportive care.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of laxatives taken by anorexics varies from person to person. Some individuals may take up to 50–100 stimulant laxatives daily, while others may misuse laxatives occasionally or over a longer period of time.
Laxative misuse can lead to dehydration, mineral imbalances, and disturbances in electrolyte levels, particularly potassium. This can cause an irregular heartbeat and, in extreme cases, death. Additionally, laxative abuse can result in long-term constipation, colon infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and an increased risk of colon cancer.
People with anorexia may misuse laxatives as a way to induce diarrhoea and feel thinner or lighter. They mistakenly believe that laxatives will help them eliminate unwanted calories and promote weight loss. However, laxatives primarily act on the large intestine, and most calories and fat have already been absorbed by the small intestine. Therefore, laxative misuse primarily results in the loss of water, minerals, and electrolytes rather than actual weight loss.