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Laxative Abuse SymptomsIf you believe you are experiencing laxative abuse symptoms, effective treatments are within your reach. Call our nationally recognized toll-free eating disorder helpline at 1-800-542-4610. Get the help you need to recover your health and reclaim your life. Caring professionals are standing by 24/7 to assist you and all calls are confidential. Laxative WithdrawalLaxative abuse symptoms are usually very powerful and can prove to be extremely difficult to handle. In fact, many people who use laxatives as a means to lose or control weight are often confused because while the pounds may come off initially, over time, their weight may actually increase due to the body's confusion about the loss of water. When this happens, the body will automatically begin holding onto water (water retention) and certain body parts like the legs or arms may noticeably begin to swell. This condition is called edema. Other potentially harmful laxative abuse symptoms include severe diarrhea and constipation. Unfortunately, as the patient begins to experience laxative withdrawal, the constipation may become severe, resulting in an increase in the amount of laxatives they are taking. This is extremely dangerous and will only serve to complicate matters and worsen the laxative abuse symptoms. In fact, the patient's colon will actually become dependent on the laxative to function. This will result in a "lazy colon," and one that is at high risk of developing cancer. If the patient is suffering from chronic diarrhea, the body will quickly become dehydrated. This is partly to blame for the introduction of constipation, but it can also lead to other impaired bodily functions. Additionally, the person battling laxative abuse symptoms may also notice blood in their stools. This is most common with stimulant-type laxatives. In some cases, the blood loss is severe enough to cause anemia. Treating Laxative WithdrawalIt is difficult to predict how treatment will affect a patient's laxative abuse symptoms. Each case is independent and as such, each patient reacts differently to laxative withdrawal. The most common methods of treating laxative abuse symptoms include therapeutic counseling, education, medication and in some severe cases, hospitalization. If the laxative abuse symptoms are accompanied by alcoholism or drug addiction, then admission into a dual diagnosis treatment facility is recommended. A dual diagnosis facility is capable of helping the patient manage their addictions while treating their secondary health issues like an eating disorder or mental health illness. If you require confidential assistance in locating safe and effective treatments for laxative abuse symptoms, please call the national eating disorder treatment helpline at 1-800-542-4610. Professionals are standing by 24/7 to help. CALL NOW! |
