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Laxative abuse
Laxatives come in various types. Stimulant laxatives are potentially the most "dangerous" in that there is the potential to cause a weak or "cathartic" colon. In this condition, the colon becomes sluggish and ultimately unresponsive to laxatives. Laxative abuse is most common in young women trying to keep their weight down.
Dr. Adam Steinlauf reviewed this
32 years experience
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Related questions
A 29-year old asked:
What are the effects of laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
How can you get your health back in check after laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
A question about laxative abuse. If you need the laxatives, is daily use still considered abuse?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
I need help with my laxative abuse. How can I stop? I'm scared I'm doing major long term damage to myself
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
Can laxative abuse affect my fertility?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Are there side effects of laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old female asked:
Can laxative abuse cause gastroparesis thanx?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
How do you deal with dehydration with laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
What is laxative abuse vs necessary frequent laxative use?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
Can laxative abuse or over use of laxative cause colitis.?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
How long does it take to restore electrolyte levels after laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
How dangerous is laxative abuse? How fast does one see negative side effects?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old male asked:
Sister has a history of severe laxative abuse. She is being treated but she can't go to the bathroom on her own at all. How can this be treated?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
How likely is rectal prolapse caused by laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
What is official diagnosis for laxative abuse? Does that include enemas?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
What counts as laxative abuse? I took laxatives twice in the last week but only because I get constipated easily. Is that laxative abuse?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
How do I recover from laxative abuse? What are some things I can take to get away from this seriously dangerous addiction? Any advice is welcomed!
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
Is there Liquid diet plan for laxative abuse recovery?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 48-year old asked:
Does purging through laxative abuse get rid of everything you've eaten?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
Please explain who should I seek help from re laxative abuse (part of my eating disorder)?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
This might sound dumb, but can miralax help to ween me off laxative abuse and be a positive reinforcement?
1 doctor answer • 9 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
Will a hair strand test reveal laxative abuse?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
Can laxative abuse or overuse of laxative cause ringing in the ears?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
What do I do if I have laxative abuse (associated with purging anorexia nervosa)?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
The left side of my lower abdomen sticks out more than my right. I have a history of laxative abuse as well. Is this related? Or what could be wrong?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old female asked:
I have miralax in decaf coffee every night before sleep -in order to stay regulated after few years of bad laxative abuse. Is this progress? Is it ok?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
What kind of doctor should I seek help from regarding laxative abuse (part of my eating disorder)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old female asked:
Can diuretics and laxative abuse cause a heart murmur or leaky valve?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
How to treat fluid retention in face and hands caused by laxative abuse ?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
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