Laxatives – to take or not?

Proven content

People suffering from constipation readily use laxatives. They only help at the beginning, with time the body gets used to such support and loses the ability to defecate on its own.

But that’s not the end of the problems. Frequent use of drugs for constipation or their overdose may cause diarrhea, allergic reactions, malabsorption from the small intestine, and colitis. Of course, nothing bad will happen after a few tablets of the drug. For many people, they are a godsend. However, they should be used very carefully.

About 10 percent suffer from persistent constipation. Poles, more often women than men. Trying to regulate your bowel movements yourself does not always give the desired result, so if you have similar problems, it is better to consult a doctor.

Many people find it absolutely necessary to pass stools on a daily basis. Meanwhile, there are people who always have a bowel movement, e.g. every other day, and if it is their constant rhythm, it is normal. Bowel function is not the same in all people. So there is no constipation as long as there is no change in the normal rhythm of bowel movements.

Only reasonably

There are no laxatives that can be taken with impunity for weeks or months. These measures do not heal, and if used for a long time, they can be harmful. An example is bitter salt, which can exacerbate diseases of the kidneys and cardiovascular system (provoke high blood pressure) or damage the intestinal mucosa. There are also preparations causing congestion of the pelvic organs, containing, for example, aloe vera, abrasions, buckthorn, unsuitable for pregnant women and during menstruation. On the other hand, fiber-based agents are mild and safe, as they absorb water into the intestine, creating large, soft stools that can be easily excreted. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids when taking these drugs. If this is not done, constipation can be made worse.

If you take laxatives, one rule should be followed – they should not be taken for more than 2 weeks. Otherwise, the intestines become lazy and you have to take ever greater doses of laxatives. If, after 2 weeks of using laxatives, there is no improvement and bowel movements do not settle, a visit to a doctor is necessary, because chronic constipation may indicate the presence of other serious ailments.

It is worth trying natural ways to cleanse the body, e.g. 100% Natjun aloe juice, which you can buy at a promotional price on Medonet Market.

Mechanisms of action

Laxatives are divided into several groups that take into account the principle of action of these preparations.

1. Bulking agents – as the name suggests, they cause swelling of the fecal masses by retaining more water in them. This, in turn, causes the intestinal wall to be irritated, thanks to which there is increased peristalsis and faster excretion. A side effect of taking such preparations may be abdominal distension and allergic reactions. In the event of an overdose of such preparations, it is possible to dehydrate the body.

2. Softeners and surfactants – facilitate the mixing of liquids with fecal masses. In addition, they cover the surface of the stool with a thin layer of mucus, which promotes water retention. Thanks to this, the fecal mass passes through the intestine more easily, without increasing peristalsis. When using these measures, abdominal muscle contractions and uncontrolled leakage of feces from the anus occur. Dehydration is also possible.

3. Osmotic agents – affect the intestinal walls by reducing water absorption. It remains in the intestine, so the stool is soft and easy to pass. When taking preparations from this group, one must be careful not to lead to dehydration. In addition, the body’s levels of magnesium and phosphate may increase, which is dangerous for people with kidney problems. Therefore, the daily dose recommended by the manufacturer must not be exceeded.

4. Incentive measures – they enhance muscle contractions and thus intestinal peristalsis. The consequence of using such preparations may be abdominal pain and the development of the so-called lazy bowel syndrome, i.e. weakening of the natural peristalsis of the intestine.

Laxatives usually work in the large intestine, and not – as many people using laxatives believe – in the stomach or duodenum, from where the body absorbs the nutrients contained in food. The effects of the abuse of such preparations may be:

Constipation, i.e. difficulties with regular bowel movements,

– dehydration, which is an excessive loss of water from the intestine, which usually results in general weakness, dizziness, and even a significant drop in blood pressure.

– electrolyte imbalance manifested by feeling unwell – due to loss of sodium – headache, nausea, sometimes muscle weakness or painful cramps, and due to loss of potassium – abnormal heart rhythm.

– swelling – occurs when the body itself wants to prevent dehydration,

– bleeding from the intestines (also anemia) – is a consequence of the constant irritation of the intestinal walls by the active substances of the laxative.

– intestinal dysfunction – that is, their laxity leads to disorders in excretion.

Before we reach for a laxative, it’s worth talking to your doctor about it. Independent choice may be wrong, especially in the chronically ill or constantly taking certain medications. Laxatives, like other medicines, can interact with each other, which can make you feel unwell and sometimes even be life-threatening.

The causes of the trouble

Most constipation is functional, habitual. The cause is motility disorders of the large intestine, i.e. of the colon and rectum. In short, either the colon is too lazy or the anal sphincters are too tense and contract when you push. Both these disorders can also occur simultaneously.

There are also physical causes of constipation. It can be an abnormal anal fissure, cancer of the colon or rectum, rectal stricture, polyps, or diverticula of the large intestine.

Other causes of constipation may be metabolic diseases (diabetes), nervous system and muscle diseases (Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis), hypothyroidism, as well as mental disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, drug and alcohol addiction.

Drug-induced constipation is also common as a result of taking psychotropic, analgesic and antiepileptic preparations and antibiotics that destroy the normal intestinal bacterial flora.

In such cases, the use of laxatives may only be temporary and supportive. You need to treat the underlying condition that is causing your constipation properly, or you must switch from your background medications to other medications that cause fewer side effects.

Bad habits

They underlie functional constipation. A typical start is to hold back from bowel movements. The large intestine slows down its work, stops sending signals about the need to pass the stool and constipation arises. The second major cause is drinking too little fluid. The body needs about 40 ml of fluids per 1 kg of body weight. So if someone weighs 75 kg, he should drink 3 liters of fluids a day. If you drink less, the body, preventing dehydration, absorbs water from the intestines to the maximum. There remains a dry, hard mass that is difficult to expel. Another reason is an inadequate diet – a lean, low-carbohydrate diet. Another important reason is low physical activity. People usually work in large teams for many hours and refrain from donating gases, which are several liters in the abdominal cavity – they make the intestine silent. They also rarely walk to work – they take elevators, spend their free time in front of the TV instead of going for a walk. The effects of this lifestyle are constipation, sometimes very severe.

If lifestyle is the cause of constipation, it needs to be changed. The easiest way is to introduce more water, vegetables and fruits into your daily diet.

Treatment of constipation

If they are a side effect of some serious illness, it should be treated. When, for example, it is caused by a tumor in the large intestine – it must be removed. However, in the case of functional constipation, the patient must – under the guidance of a doctor – change the current lifestyle. He must not abstain from bowel movements, he must drink adequate amounts of fluids, change his diet to a high-residual fiber (lots of vegetables and fruits) enriched with yoghurts, buttermilk and kefir, and also to activate physically. From time to time, he may use laxatives under medical supervision. These methods are effective in two-thirds of the people treated in this way. Biofeedback is a new method. A device is inserted into the patient’s anus and contractions of the rectum are recorded on the computer screen. Treatment is based on learning to regulate and control the work of the anal sphincter muscles. If this does not help, sometimes a method is used that is like an enema in the opposite direction. The appendix emerges through a small incision outside the abdomen and a tube is inserted into it. In this way, 1-1,5 liters of water are injected into the intestine every day. After a few months, the intestine becomes mobile and constipation ends. If that doesn’t help, then the last resort is heavy surgery to remove almost the entire colon. Sometimes it turns out to be the only solution, e.g. for people who have bowel movements once every 4-6 weeks.

Anna Jarosz

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