What happens if you abuse laxatives

This can make you feel weak and dizzy, or cause fainting. Also, the water that is lost when you use diuretics has important minerals and electrolytes.

Your organs may not work properly. Some other side effects of diuretic abuse are kidney damage, dehydration, abnormal heart beat, dizziness and constipation. Compulsive Exercising Some people with an eating disorder use exercise as a way to control their weight. They may feel that they can only eat if they have finished their exercises. These people over-exercise, or do more physical activity than they need to stay healthy or fit.

They may not feel happy or satisfied, but their exercise schedule becomes very important to them. They may begin to feel driven or compelled to exercise, and choose exercise over almost all other activities. You can damage your body with over-exercising, especially if that is combined with poor eating. The body is under a lot of stress because it is not getting the energy it needs to be so active.

There is also no time for the body to rest, heal and recharge between workouts. Female athletes who take part in sports such as dance, gymnastics, or marathons are at high risk of over-exercising.

Compulsive exercise is a sign of a serious eating disorder. If you, or someone you know, is exercising compulsively to lose weight, you should get help from a medical professional immediately. They recommend some very dangerous behaviours. They talk as if anorexia nervosa or bulimia are lifestyle choices rather than disorders.

The sites have chat rooms and blogs where people support each other in staying anorexic or bulimic and refusing treatment.

These websites often include:. There has been research on teenagers with eating disorders who visit these sites. It shows they spend less time on schoolwork, and more time in hospital, compared to teenagers who were in treatment for an eating disorder who did not visit these sites. It is important for families, friends and healthcare professionals to be aware of these sites.

Visiting pro-eating disorder websites can prevent someone with an eating disorder from seeking the help and treatment they need. It looks like you're using an old version of Internet Explorer. For the best experience, please update your browser. Update Internet Explorer or learn how to browse happy. If you would like to continue to the site using your current browser, click here.

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Related Articles. Do you have a loved one battling addiction and would like a better understanding of this disease? Our newsletter offers current addiction recovery resources and information. The symptoms associated with laxative abuse can continue for a very long time, even after you stop using laxatives. Your intestines are usually coated with a mucus protective layer to prevent irritation from occurring in the intestinal walls. There are also bacteria in the intestines which are essential for overall health and to keep your immune system functioning properly.

When you abuse laxatives, these bacteria are stripped away together with the protective intestinal mucus and this leaves your intestines vulnerable to irritation and infection. There are even studies which suggest laxative abuse could increase your chances of developing colon cancer. People who have chronic diarrhea due to laxative abuse may also cause a rectal prolapse to occur. This is when the inside of your intestines protrudes out through the anus.

Usually, surgery is required to correct this problem. Mental health problems are also a risk of laxative abuse. People who suffer from constipation because on ongoing laxative use often feel uncomfortable and ill as well as ashamed and embarrassed of their problems.

People suffering from diarrhea due to laxative use may want to stay close to a bathroom and so isolate themselves socially. As most people who abuse laxatives want to keep their problem hidden, shame and stress are the natural results. There was a recent study carried out which was published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders which involved people who had received treatment for an eating disorder.

This showed that a quarter of them reported that they had abused laxatives during the previous month. Those suffering from anorexia nervosa were more likely to report that they misused laxatives. Laxative abuse has also been shown to be common among people who have not yet been diagnosed with an eating disorder. This shows that experimentation with laxative abuse often begins during the teenage years. Some people who have bulimia use laxatives to purge themselves, while those who have anorexia use them to control the number of calories they consume.

Weakening and softening of bones can also happen with laxative dependence, as well as severe bowel tumors and kidney issues. With bulimia and laxative use, a person will start to become iller from common day illnesses due to a decrease or shutdown of the immune system [2].

A person will become more susceptible to infections. Severe dehydration can occur from loss of fluids and lack of hydration to cells and tissues. This can result in organ failure or death. In anorexia nervosa, continued medical complications can occur and bone loss due from mineral loss with laxative abuse and can result in premature osteoporosis and bone fractures [3].

Kidneys are also damaged not only from low white blood cell count but also prolonged dehydration from a lack in ingestion of liquids and laxative misuse. This can lead to kidney failure. Working with your physician or a medical doctor who specializes in eating disorders is important for a person who is trying to cease use of laxatives.

When being monitored, the doctor can promote your medical needs for organ, mineral, and body damage and repair. When working with your doctor and tapering off laxatives, you may feel anxious, feelings of fullness and have a sense of distress. Be patient with your body as it readjusts and relearns how to re-regulate itself and respond to natural cues. Remembering to eat foods high in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Scheduling an appointment with a dietician or nutritionist can help you slowly reincorporate foods into your meal plan to allow for natural reregulation.

Drinking at least 8 cups of water a day is also typically recommended by your medical team for proper hydration and repair to cells and tissues. Some dieticians will also recommend gentle walks at some point during the day to gently help with natural bowel movements.