Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsIs It an Eating Disorder?Do Laxatives Cause Weight Lost?Health RisksFinding Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Is It an Eating Disorder?
Do Laxatives Cause Weight Lost?
Health Risks
Finding Help
The ongoing misuse of laxatives can lead to chronicconstipation,electrolyte imbalances,depression, heart problems, and an increased risk ofcolon cancer.Treatment typically involvespsychotherapyand changes in eating habits.
Learn more about excessive laxative use, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
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What Is Excessive Laxative Use?
Excessive laxative use occurs when someone uses laxatives habitually, frequently, or in higher-than-recommended doses for weight loss or control. The aim of laxative abuse is to stimulate bowel movements so that foods are “purged” from the body before fat and calories can be absorbed.
People who misuse laxatives tend to show classicsigns of eating disorders, such as:
Beyond the physical effects of excessive laxative use (including diarrhea, blurred vision, and fainting), people who misuse laxatives tend to be secretive about eating, oftenbinge eatingand feeling guilty about it afterward.
Excessive Laxative Use and Eating Disorders
Excessive laxative use is a feature of aneating disordercalledbulimia nervosa (BN).
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines eating disorders as “severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors associated with distressing thoughts and emotions.”Studies suggest that around 28.8 million people in the United States will experience an eating disorder over the course of a lifetime.Around 5 million will misuse laxatives in an attempt to lose weight.
In addition to purging with laxatives, a person with BN may misusediuretics(“water pills”), exercise excessively, fast regularly, or engage in self-induced vomiting.Other signs of BN include frequent trips to the bathroom or hidden stashes of food in the house.
Impact on Girls and Young WomenThough anyone can develop an eating disorder, girls and young women are disproportionately affected. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to 10% of young women in the United States have an eating disorder.
Impact on Girls and Young Women
Though anyone can develop an eating disorder, girls and young women are disproportionately affected. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to 10% of young women in the United States have an eating disorder.
It is important to note people who do not have BN can also misuse laxatives. They may purge without binging to rapidly lose weight (to fit into a wedding dress, for example). Others may do so in an attempt totreat chronic constipation.
Whatever the reason, ongoing laxative misuse is highly predictive of a future eating disorder.
Laxatives can make you feel lighter because they quickly flush out waste and water from thecolon. Even so, the weight loss is minor and temporary. The pounds will return as soon as you drink fluids—which you’ll need to do to stay healthy and hydrated.
According to research, extreme weight loss efforts like laxatives and diuretics do not work. Although there may be some initial loss due to purging, the gains are typically reversed with most people increasing theirbody mass index (BMI)over time.
Laxatives are ultimatelynotsafe for weight loss. Not only are they ineffective in maintaining a healthy weight over the long term, but they can also cause potentially severe health complications.
Health Risks of Excessive Laxative Use
There are many short- and long-term consequences associated with excessive laxative use. These include diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, chronic constipation, urinary tract infections (UTIs), organ damage, an increased risk of colon cancer, and more.
Diarrhea
Using laxatives excessively can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, gas, loose stool, anddiarrhea. Laxative abuse can also cause rectal irritation, in part because watery stools overload rectal tissues with fluids. This can lead to an increased risk of infection and bleeding during bowel movements.
Severe Dehydration
Laxatives remove water and other fluids from the body which, in turn, can lead todehydration.Symptoms of dehydration include muscle weakness, dizziness, thirst, inability to urinate, dark urine, confusion, and dry mouth.In severe cases, dehydration can lead tohypovolemic shockand death.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Excessive laxative use can disrupt the balance ofelectrolyteslike potassium, sodium, and calcium in the body. These minerals are electrically charged and are essential to the regulation of many body functions, including the heartbeat, blood pressure, muscle movements, and digestion.
Over time, electrolyte imbalances can negatively affect how well your kidneys and heart work. In some cases, electrolyte loss can be fatal, leading to coma, seizures, andsudden cardiac arrest.
Chronic Constipation and Laxative Dependency
Over time, excessive laxative use can make constipation worse rather than better. This is because laxatives “overwork” the digestive tract, gradually reducing muscle tone and nerve signaling. This can start to slow (rather than speed) digestive muscle contractions.
People who abuse laxatives can also develop a tolerance to the medications, leading them to need higher and higher doses to have a bowel movement. This is known as a laxative dependency (a.k.a. “laxative addiction”).
Increased Risk of Urinary Tract Infections
Symptoms of a UTI may include pain or burning during urination, abdominal cramping, blood in the urine, and a frequent urge to urinate.
Organ Damage
Laxatives (especiallystimulant laxatives) not only affect the way the large intestine works but also other organs that interact with the digestive tract. In order to compensate for the increasedgut motility,these organs have to work overtime to keep up. In time, this can lead to organ damage and the loss of organ function.
Long-term complications of excessive laxative use include:
Increased Risk of Colon Cancer
The excessive use of laxatives can lead to many colon-related complications, including colon distension (the abnormal enlargement of the large intestine) and colon infections.
Depression and Anxiety
Excessive laxative use is also associated with depression and anxiety. People who misuse laxatives to lose weight often feel shame or embarrassment about their behavior. They may withdraw from friends and family because they are afraid someone will find out what they are doing.
Other Consequences
Other possible consequences of excessive laxative use include:
Getting Help for Excessive Laxative Use
Even if you don’t meet the strict criteria for bulimia nervosa, a 2021 study in theInternational Journal of Eating Disordershas found that using laxatives for weight loss is predictive of an eating disorder within five years.
Early treatment not only helps address the core emotional issues that fuel eating disorders but also prevents short- and long-term damage to your physical health. Your healthcare provider can refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist who specializes in treating eating disorders.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you answer “yes” to some or all of these, you may have an eating disorder and may benefit from seeing a mental health professional.
Treatments for Excessive Laxative Use
The treatment for excessive laxative use usually involves psychotherapy, such asdialectical behavior therapy (DBT)orcognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In therapy, your therapist can help you identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior, improve your body image and self-esteem, and address any underlying trauma that contributes to disordered eating.
It is also important to stop taking laxatives. However, doing so abruptly can cause side effects like bloating, cramping, and constipation.Speak with your healthcare provider about natural ways to manage while you are in recovery.
This may include:
If you have health issues related to laxative misuse, you may need to seek medical treatment from your healthcare provider or a specialist. Anutritionistcan also help you set healthy goals in terms of your eating habits and weight.
Where to Find Help for Eating Disorders
There are a number of resources you can turn to for support if you are dealing with (or think you have) an eating disorder, including:
Summary
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.
The treatment may involve your healthcare provider, a nutritionist, and a therapist or psychologist.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative misuse.American Psychiatric Association.What are eating disorders?Hazzard VM, Simone M, Austin SB, Larson N, Neumark-Sztainer D.Diet pill and laxative use for weight control predicts first-time receipt of an eating disorder diagnosis within the next five years among female adolescents and young adults.Int J Eat Disord2021 Jul;54(7):1289–1294. doi:10.1002/eat.23531National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.Eating disorder statistics.Austin SB, Penfold RB, Johnson RL, Haines J, Forman S.Clinician identification of youth abusing over-the-counter products for weight control in a large U.S. integrated health system.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:40. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-40National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Eating disorders in teens.McGill University Office of Science and Society.You’re full of crap. Literally.Ferraro ZM, Patterson S, Chaput JP.Unhealthy weight control practices: culprits and clinical recommendations.Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes.2015;8:7–11. doi:10.4137/CMED.S23060Cornell University.Laxative abuse: what to know.Van der Mullen J, Wise R, Vermeulen G, Moonen PJ, Malbrain MLNG.Assessment of hypovolaemia in the critically ill.Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther.2018;50(2):141-149. doi:10.5603/AIT.a2017.0077Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GK.The medical complications associated with purging.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504Balcı AK, Koksal O, Kose A, et al.General characteristics of patients with electrolyte imbalance admitted to emergency department.World J Emerg Med. 2013;4(2):113–116. doi:10.5847/wjem.j.issn.1920-8642.2013.02.005American Academy of Family Physicians.Laxatives: OTC products for constipation.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Eating disorders.Mental Health America.Eating disorder test.National Health Service (UK).Guidance for stopping laxatives for chronic constipation in adults.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative misuse.American Psychiatric Association.What are eating disorders?Hazzard VM, Simone M, Austin SB, Larson N, Neumark-Sztainer D.Diet pill and laxative use for weight control predicts first-time receipt of an eating disorder diagnosis within the next five years among female adolescents and young adults.Int J Eat Disord2021 Jul;54(7):1289–1294. doi:10.1002/eat.23531National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.Eating disorder statistics.Austin SB, Penfold RB, Johnson RL, Haines J, Forman S.Clinician identification of youth abusing over-the-counter products for weight control in a large U.S. integrated health system.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:40. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-40National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Eating disorders in teens.McGill University Office of Science and Society.You’re full of crap. Literally.Ferraro ZM, Patterson S, Chaput JP.Unhealthy weight control practices: culprits and clinical recommendations.Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes.2015;8:7–11. doi:10.4137/CMED.S23060Cornell University.Laxative abuse: what to know.Van der Mullen J, Wise R, Vermeulen G, Moonen PJ, Malbrain MLNG.Assessment of hypovolaemia in the critically ill.Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther.2018;50(2):141-149. doi:10.5603/AIT.a2017.0077Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GK.The medical complications associated with purging.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504Balcı AK, Koksal O, Kose A, et al.General characteristics of patients with electrolyte imbalance admitted to emergency department.World J Emerg Med. 2013;4(2):113–116. doi:10.5847/wjem.j.issn.1920-8642.2013.02.005American Academy of Family Physicians.Laxatives: OTC products for constipation.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Eating disorders.Mental Health America.Eating disorder test.National Health Service (UK).Guidance for stopping laxatives for chronic constipation in adults.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative misuse.American Psychiatric Association.What are eating disorders?Hazzard VM, Simone M, Austin SB, Larson N, Neumark-Sztainer D.Diet pill and laxative use for weight control predicts first-time receipt of an eating disorder diagnosis within the next five years among female adolescents and young adults.Int J Eat Disord2021 Jul;54(7):1289–1294. doi:10.1002/eat.23531National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.Eating disorder statistics.Austin SB, Penfold RB, Johnson RL, Haines J, Forman S.Clinician identification of youth abusing over-the-counter products for weight control in a large U.S. integrated health system.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:40. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-40National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Eating disorders in teens.McGill University Office of Science and Society.You’re full of crap. Literally.Ferraro ZM, Patterson S, Chaput JP.Unhealthy weight control practices: culprits and clinical recommendations.Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes.2015;8:7–11. doi:10.4137/CMED.S23060Cornell University.Laxative abuse: what to know.Van der Mullen J, Wise R, Vermeulen G, Moonen PJ, Malbrain MLNG.Assessment of hypovolaemia in the critically ill.Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther.2018;50(2):141-149. doi:10.5603/AIT.a2017.0077Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GK.The medical complications associated with purging.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504Balcı AK, Koksal O, Kose A, et al.General characteristics of patients with electrolyte imbalance admitted to emergency department.World J Emerg Med. 2013;4(2):113–116. doi:10.5847/wjem.j.issn.1920-8642.2013.02.005American Academy of Family Physicians.Laxatives: OTC products for constipation.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Eating disorders.Mental Health America.Eating disorder test.National Health Service (UK).Guidance for stopping laxatives for chronic constipation in adults.
National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative misuse.
American Psychiatric Association.What are eating disorders?
Hazzard VM, Simone M, Austin SB, Larson N, Neumark-Sztainer D.Diet pill and laxative use for weight control predicts first-time receipt of an eating disorder diagnosis within the next five years among female adolescents and young adults.Int J Eat Disord2021 Jul;54(7):1289–1294. doi:10.1002/eat.23531
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.Eating disorder statistics.
Austin SB, Penfold RB, Johnson RL, Haines J, Forman S.Clinician identification of youth abusing over-the-counter products for weight control in a large U.S. integrated health system.J Eat Disord. 2013;1:40. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-40
National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Eating disorders in teens.
McGill University Office of Science and Society.You’re full of crap. Literally.
Ferraro ZM, Patterson S, Chaput JP.Unhealthy weight control practices: culprits and clinical recommendations.Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes.2015;8:7–11. doi:10.4137/CMED.S23060
Cornell University.Laxative abuse: what to know.
Van der Mullen J, Wise R, Vermeulen G, Moonen PJ, Malbrain MLNG.Assessment of hypovolaemia in the critically ill.Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther.2018;50(2):141-149. doi:10.5603/AIT.a2017.0077
Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GK.The medical complications associated with purging.Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504
Balcı AK, Koksal O, Kose A, et al.General characteristics of patients with electrolyte imbalance admitted to emergency department.World J Emerg Med. 2013;4(2):113–116. doi:10.5847/wjem.j.issn.1920-8642.2013.02.005
American Academy of Family Physicians.Laxatives: OTC products for constipation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Eating disorders.
Mental Health America.Eating disorder test.
National Health Service (UK).Guidance for stopping laxatives for chronic constipation in adults.
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