Anorexia and bulimia are complex psychological disorders that pose an array of physical complications. People with the disorders may abuse laxatives in attempt to rid their bodies of calories, lose weight, or to improve digestive regularity. Laxative addiction is a serious, potentially dangerous condition that usually requires medical intervention. If you exhibit symptoms of anorexia, bulimia or laxative addiction, seek prompt guidance from your doctor.
Emotional Causes
Fear of weight gain is a primary diagnostic factor for anorexia. Many individuals with bulimia also fear weight gain intensely, particularly after binging. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), people with eating disorders often believe that by taking excessive amounts of laxatives, behavior known as laxative abuse, they will rid their bodies of calories and either lose weight or prevent weight gain. Though laxatives do not produce these results, the intense fear of weight drives people with eating disorders to continue abusing them. Such behavior often leads to emotional and physical laxative addiction, as the digestive system can lose its ability to function normally.
Anorectal Dysfunction and Constipation
Anorectal dysfunction (AD), also known as anismus, happens when the muscle in the anus (sphincter) malfunctions. People with AD experience bowel movement difficulty, which often results in constipation. According to a Mayo Clinic study, patients with anorexia with anorectal dysfunction and constipation who had their nutrients and calories supplied intravenously were able to attain digestive regularity. In other words, people with eating disorders who maintain severely low body weight and reduced caloric intake are at high risk for AD and constipation. Those who become constipated may resort to laxatives to produce bowel movements. When normal doses fail to produce bowel movements, they may increase dosage. Depending upon laxatives for extensive periods of time or in exorbitant doses can train the body to depend upon them indefinitely, a common cause of laxative addiction.
Organ Damage
A healthy colon is crucial for digestive regularity. According to NEDA, laxative abuse can lead to a stretched or "lazy" colon. When the body responds to this condition by producing fewer or more difficult bowel movements, a person may become dependent upon laxatives in order to eliminate waste. NEDA explains that organ damage is a serious complication of eating disorders and laxative abuse that worsens in response to continued use of laxatives. In severe cases, laxative abuse increases a person's risk for colon cancer and damage to other digestive organs, such as the liver.
