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Aug 12, 2023 · Excessive laxative occurs when you take laxatives to lose or control weight. It is closely linked to an eating disorder called bulimia nervosa that involves cycles of binging and purging. Over time, laxative misuse can cause depression, chronic constipation, laxative dependency, organ damage, and an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Laura Dorwart
Sep 19, 2023 · Instead, increasing fiber in your diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising usually help. Laxative abuse can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, worsen constipation, increase the risk of UTIs, and damage the organs that interact with the digestive tract.
- How Do Stool Softeners Work?
- First Choice: Bulk-Forming Laxatives
- For Stuck Stools...
- Other Laxative Options
- Stimulant Laxatives
- When to Talk to A Doctor
Stool softenerswork by softening stools to make them easier to pass. They can be in capsule, tablet, liquid, and syrup form and are usually taken at bedtime. Be sure to take stool softeners exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Bulk-forming laxatives draw water into stool, making it softer and easier to pass. But don't expect instant gratification: these can take a half-day to several days to provide relief. They are safe to use daily. They contain various ingredients, and you may have to try more than one to find the product that helps you with minimal side effects, such...
Stool softeners add moisture to stools to make them softer and easier to pass. Mineral oil, a lubricant, helps stools "slide on by" if the stools feel stuck low in your bowels, if you have an internal tear or "fissure," or if you have pain from hemorrhoidsduring bowel movements. Don't take mineral oil at the same time as stool softeners. Take 1 tab...
If stool softeners aren't providing enough help, the osmotic laxative polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX or a generic version) is good next step. These products hold water in stool to soften it and increase bowel movements. Common side effects are gas, bloating, and nausea. Another option that works for some people is diet candies containing the sweetene...
Stimulant laxatives such as senna and bisacodyl trigger contractions in the bowels that push the stool along. But if you take stimulant laxatives too often, you could become dependent on them to have a bowel movement at all — possibly because the bowel has stopped functioning normally.
If you find yourself trying one laxative after another, see your doctor for an evaluation. Additional testing can lead to better therapy and rule out any possible serious malfunctions. And if it is just constipation, your doctor can offer other medications to you that may be more helpful than over-the-counter laxatives. Image: Wavebreakmedia/Getty ...
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Jan 26, 2024 · A number of factors can disrupt the bowels and cause constipation. These include diet, fluid intake, physical activity and several medicines. Many different types of laxatives are available without a prescription. They may be safe and effective to treat constipation once in a while.
Nov 13, 2017 · “Ironically, introducing too much fiber too quickly in your diet or bowel regimen may lead to bloating, gas, or cramping. Slowly ramp up your fiber supplementation gradually, such as with weekly increases in dosing.
- Lisa Milbrand
How to Lose Weight Safely. 4 min read. Some people use laxatives to lose weight. While laxatives can help you with constipation, using laxatives for weight loss is dangerous and can make...
Aug 28, 2018 · Common Side Effects of Laxatives. Different types of laxatives. Side effects. Risks. Severe side effects. Prevention. Takeaway. Constipation and laxatives. The parameters for...