The Elephant Laxative Effect: What It Does To Humans

The use of elephant laxatives as a form of punishment has been mentioned in a few sources, including Urban Dictionary and Snopes. Urban Dictionary mentions that elephant laxatives were used in the 17th century to punish gay men and present-day rapists. The description of its effects on humans is gruesome, claiming that it causes people to shit their large intestines inside out and vomit until they inhale their vomit. However, it's important to note that the information on Urban Dictionary may not be reliable and may be exaggerated or fictional. Similarly, a story on Snopes mentions a zookeeper in Germany who allegedly died after being suffocated by 200 pounds of elephant poop. The elephant had been given 22 doses of animal laxative and a bushel of berries, figs, and prunes. While the story is entertaining, Snopes concludes that it is likely fake due to a lack of evidence and inconsistencies in the details.

Laxative overdose symptoms

Laxatives are a medicine used to produce bowel movements and treat constipation. A laxative overdose occurs when someone takes more than the recommended amount of this medicine, which can be accidental or purposeful. Most laxative overdoses in children are accidental, but some people take overdoses to try to lose weight.

The most common symptoms of a laxative overdose are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are also common, especially in children. Other symptoms specific to certain products include:

• Senna and Cascara Sagrada: Drop in blood pressure
• Magnesium-containing products: Drop in blood pressure, gastrointestinal irritation, and painful bowel movements
• Castor oil: Gastrointestinal irritation
• Mineral oil: Aspiration pneumonia, a condition where vomited stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs
• Products containing methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polycarbophil, or psyllium: Choking or intestinal blockage if not taken with enough fluids

In severe cases of laxative overdose, particularly with products that alter magnesium levels, symptoms can include impaired kidney function and coma.

If someone has overdosed on laxatives, do not induce vomiting as they are likely already dehydrated. Call your local emergency number or poison control center for help. Have the following information ready: the person's age, weight, and condition; the name, ingredients, strength, and amount of the product swallowed; the time it was swallowed; and whether the medicine was prescribed.

To prevent a laxative overdose, do not exceed the recommended or prescribed dose. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine. Track bowel movements and incorporate movement and high-fiber foods into your daily routine to stimulate bowel function naturally.

Laxatives and weight loss

Laxatives are medicines used to treat constipation and are only recommended by doctors when a person has difficulty passing stool. However, some people use laxatives for weight loss, believing that they can prevent their body from absorbing calories. This is not true. Laxatives do not stop the body from absorbing calories or gaining weight.

The use of laxatives for weight loss is dangerous and can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, as they cause water loss. Losing water is not the same as losing body fat, and any weight lost from taking laxatives will be quickly regained once the person drinks something.

Laxatives can also cause constipation and diarrhea, as well as long-term damage to the intestines, increasing the risk of colon cancer. They can interfere with the absorption of prescription medications and are linked to a higher risk of developing an eating disorder.

If you are considering taking laxatives for weight loss, it is important to consult a doctor or seek counseling. There are safer and more effective ways to lose weight, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Types of Laxatives

There are five types of laxatives:

• Bulk-forming laxatives: These add soluble fiber to the stool, which breaks down in water and forms a gel, helping the colon retain water and soften the stool.
• Stool softeners: These laxatives help mix water with the stool to soften it and make it easier to pass.
• Lubricant laxatives: These coat the stool and make it slippery, aiding in its passage out of the body. They are sometimes called glycerine suppositories.
• Stimulant laxatives: These stimulate the intestinal muscles to squeeze and move the stool along. They can be harsh on the body and cause cramping.
• Osmotic laxatives: These laxatives pull water from the body into the bowel, helping to soften the stool and facilitate its passage. They can also cause diarrhea.

Laxatives in history

Laxatives have been used for thousands of years to treat constipation and increase bowel movements. The oldest complete book in existence, an Egyptian pharmaceutical papyrus from the 16th century BC, offers a basic explanation of disease rooted in the notion of poisoning of the body by decomposing waste in the intestines. This suspicion that disease was a process of internal putrefaction shaped medical theory for over three millennia.

In the 19th century, medical scientists formulated a theory of "intestinal autointoxication" – self-poisoning from one's own waste. This theory was buttressed by the discovery of germ-putrefaction connections in Pasteur's studies outside the body, and the introduction of antisepsis into surgery by Joseph Lister in the 1860s. The public became prey to marketers of anti-constipation foods, drugs, and devices, with All-Bran introduced in the early 1900s to combat autointoxication.

The term "laxative" often overlaps with "cathartic", "purgative", "aperient", and "evacuant", but there are subtle differences in meaning. Laxatives can be classified into four main types: saline purgatives, fecal softeners, contact purgatives, and bulk laxatives. Saline purgatives, such as magnesium sulfate and magnesium hydroxide, increase the volume of the bowel's contents, stimulating contraction of the muscle and leading to defecation. Fecal softeners like liquid paraffin increase the bulk of feces without being absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Contact purgatives like cascara and senna act directly on the intestine muscles, stimulating wavelike contractions that result in defecation. Bulk laxatives, such as methylcellulose and dietary fiber, increase the size of feces by attracting water.

Laxatives have also been used for weight loss, notably by patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia. However, this use of laxatives has been associated with dangerous side effects such as hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.

Laxatives and enemas

Laxatives are a medicine used to produce bowel movements. They can be used to treat constipation, clear out your bowel, and support weight loss. Laxatives can be taken orally or inserted rectally. Some types of laxatives include:

• Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
• Docusate and phenolphthalein (Correctol)
• Glycerin suppositories
• Lactulose (Duphalac)
• Malt soup extract (Maltsupex)
• Phenolphthalein (Ex-Lax)

It is important to follow the recommended dosage for laxatives, as an overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Severe symptoms are most likely to occur in people who abuse laxatives to lose weight.

Enemas are another treatment option for constipation. They involve injecting fluid into the intestines via the rectum, which softens and breaks up the stool. Enemas have been used for hundreds of years and can be administered by a medical professional or self-administered at home. There are two main types of enemas: cleansing and retention. Cleansing enemas are water-based and meant to be held in the rectum for a short time to flush the colon. Retention enemas are designed to be held in the bowel for an extended period before being released.

While enemas can be effective in treating constipation, they come with risks, especially when self-administered at home. Some of the potential side effects of enemas include:

• Disturbing gut bacteria
• Affecting electrolyte balance
• Causing rectal burns, inflammation, and infections
• Leading to dehydration
• Causing bowel perforation
• Increasing the risk of infection, including sepsis

Laxatives and choking

Laxatives are a medication used to stimulate or facilitate bowel movements. They are available over the counter and by prescription. While laxatives are generally safe, they can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhoea. More seriously, they can cause choking or intestinal blockage if not taken with enough water. This is especially true for products containing methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polycarbophil, or psyllium.

If you are experiencing constipation, it is important to address the underlying cause. Dietary and lifestyle changes can help treat and prevent constipation. This includes eating more high-fibre foods, reducing consumption of low-fibre foods, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting regular exercise. Creating a regular schedule for bowel movements, such as after meals, can also be helpful.

If you are considering using laxatives, it is important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. They can help you choose a laxative that is safe for you and won't interact with any other medications you are taking. Bulk-forming laxatives, for example, are generally safe to take daily and do not cause dependency. Other types of laxatives, if overused, can lead to a loss of muscle and nerve response in the intestines, resulting in dependency.

If you are experiencing choking or other severe side effects after taking a laxative, seek medical help immediately. Have the following information ready: the person's age, weight, and condition; the name of the product (including ingredients and strength, if known); the time it was swallowed; the amount swallowed; and whether the medicine was prescribed for the person. Your local poison control centre can provide guidance and instructions.

Frequently asked questions