A misconception among some dieters is that laxatives can help them lose weight. However, using laxatives as diet pills or overusing these drugs to relieve constipation is potentially dangerous, warns University of Iowa Health Care. Not only can these drugs damage your digestive tract, but also laxatives can cause life-threatening damage to your heart and kidneys. Thus, you should not use any laxatives without talking to your doctor. If you have been relying on laxatives to make bowel movements or lose weight, you need medical help to taper off the drugs.
Digestive Tract Consequences
If you take too many laxatives, your colon becomes dependent on the supplements, warns Columbia University's health information service, Go Ask Alice! Thus, you must take even more laxatives to have regular bowel movements. Eventually, you will not be able to have bowel movements without the use of laxatives. In severe cases of laxative abuse, you will not have bowel movements at all.
Nutritional Consequences
Whether you use rectal suppositories or oral tablets, laxatives can create life-threatening nutritional deficiencies, warns University of Iowa Health Care. Laxatives drain your body of water as well as essential nutrients and vitamins. Any weight you lose is likely the result of dehydration; you will regain that weight once you drink water or other beverages. Dehydration can cause blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, weakness and in some cases, death.
Heart and Kidney Consequences
Your body keeps an electrolyte balance of essential minerals such as potassium, sodium and calcium, according to Go Ask Alice! When you take too many laxatives, it upsets your body’s electrolyte balance and directly impacts your organs, muscles and nerves. Electrolyte imbalances can cause kidney failure, painful kidney stones and damage your heart. Severe electrolyte imbalances can cause death by heart failure.
Natural Alternatives
If you are constipated, first check your eating habits and review any medications you are taking, advises University of Iowa Health Care. Some prescription drugs may cause constipation. Before turning to laxatives, try drinking at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water daily and add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet. Going to the bathroom right after eating and exercising regularly will help promote bowel movements. If you cannot pass stools and your doctor approves the use of laxatives, first try products with a crushed seed called psyllium. Such laxatives are less likely to cause problems than those made from chemicals and drugs.
