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30 years
My sister is addicted to laxatives. She says she barely uses them but she takes around a packet a day and denies it. Is there anything I can do to help her stop?
Oct 23, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
You can start by dispelling the myth that laxative use is an effective way of weight control, because it’s not. 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 stimulate the large intestine to empty, the “weight loss” observed during a laxative-induced bowel movement contains little actual food, fat, or calories. What laxative abuse causes is mainly the loss of water, minerals, electrolytes and indigestible fiber and wastes from the colon. This weight lost is regained as soon as the body is re-hydrated.
Health Consequences of Laxative Abuse:
• Disturbance of electrolyte and mineral balances: Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus are electrolytes and minerals that are present in the body in very specific amounts necessary for optimal functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Any alteration in this balance (medical term homeostasis) can cause these vital organs to malfunction.
• Severe dehydration may cause tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and, in extreme cases, death. Dehydration often requires medical treatment.
• Laxative dependency is the ultimate end result that occurs when the colon stops responding to usual doses of laxative, so more and more laxatives may be needed to produce bowel movements.
• Internal organ damage may result, including stretched or “lazy” colon, colon infection, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and, rarely, liver damage. Chronic laxative abuse may contribute to risk of colon cancer.
Dealing with laxative abuse requires a multi-disciplinary approach, with a team of health professionals who have expertise in treating eating disorders, including a general physician, a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor, and a dietitian. Support from close friends and family is invaluable.
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