Several major disadvantages of taking laxatives

I believe everyone is familiar with laxatives. Even if we have never taken laxatives, we can get information about them from newspapers or TV. The main function of laxatives is of course to treat constipation. However, some people who love beauty now use laxatives to lose weight. In fact, taking laxatives indiscriminately will seriously harm our body. Below we will introduce to you some major disadvantages of taking laxatives, and I hope everyone will pay attention to it.

Commonly used laxatives in clinical practice are generally divided into four categories: bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, lubricant laxatives, and osmotic laxatives. Laxatives are generally used to treat constipation, and some people also use them to lose weight, but laxatives should not be abused. Taking laxatives for a long time is extremely harmful to the human body.

Bulk laxatives: also known as plant-based laxatives, including methylcellulose, agar, pectin, etc. This type of laxative is not absorbed by the intestinal wall. It swells after absorbing water in the intestine, expanding the intestinal volume and causing a defecation reflex. It can also mix with feces and soften the feces.

Stimulant laxatives: often used after bulk laxatives have failed. Representative drugs include senna leaves, rhubarb, phenolphthalein (fruit laxative tablets), bisacodyl (bisacodyl), castor oil, etc. This type of drug itself or its metabolites can stimulate the intestinal wall, increase intestinal peristalsis, and promote defecation. It is characterized by fast and strong laxative effect. It is used preferentially by those with impacted stool and those who need a quick bowel movement. Long-term use may cause drug dependence, colon lesions, and even induce intestinal polyps, so it should not be used for more than one week and is prohibited for pregnant and lactating women.

Lubricating laxatives: Representative drugs include enema, liquid paraffin, and dococel sodium. This type of medicine has the effect of moistening and softening stool, can help people with constipation to defecate easily and prevent excessive straining. It is suitable for patients with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, postoperative patients, patients with a history of hypertension and those who are bedridden for a long time. This type of drug takes effect quickly, but the action duration is short. There is a burning sensation when used rectally, and long-term use will affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and calcium and phosphorus, so it is not suitable for long-term use.

Osmotic laxatives: Representative drugs include magnesium sulfate (saline laxatives), lactulose, mannitol, sorbitol and polyethylene glycol (fosun), etc. This type of drug is slowly absorbed in the intestine, so it can maintain a high osmotic pressure in the intestinal cavity, preventing the absorption of salt and water in the intestine, thereby expanding the intestinal cavity and stimulating intestinal peristalsis. Large doses and long-term use of this type of drug can cause water and electrolyte imbalance and alternating diarrhea and constipation, so it is better to use it in small doses.

Abuse of laxatives can cause a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, anorectal diseases, dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal nerve dysfunction, and can also affect brain function. Laxatives stimulate intestinal peristalsis, increase the frequency of bowel movements, and reduce the absorption of many nutrients. No matter what type of laxative, there is a process of excessive excretion. This excessive excretion not only excretes the residue of your food, it also expels some electrolyte components in the intestinal fluid. The first thing that is easy to occur is electrolyte imbalance, especially a decrease in potassium, which in turn causes serious damage to the heart, muscles, etc. Laxatives must be used with caution.

In the above article, we introduced what laxatives are. We know that there are many types of laxatives. The main function of laxatives is to treat constipation. If we take laxatives for a long time, it is easy to cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and also cause gastrointestinal nerve dysfunction.