A 30-year-old member asked:
can laxative abuse or over use of laxative cause colitis.?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joshua Katz answered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 28 years experience
Not really: Laxative use should be directed by your doctor. Needing laxatives for more than two days should prompt a visit to your doctor.
5936 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Addagada Rao answered
General Surgery 56 years experience
Yes: Why laxatives have to be abused, first cause of the constipation is to be determined by your physician , by exam and tests including colonoscopy for malignancy , anorectal motility studies.Some laxatives that stimulate the colon like seneca etc by constant stimulation colonic mucosa will be damaged permanently and may result colitis.
5924 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Aug 2, 2017
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