Laxative: possible risks and when indicated
Laxatives are remedies that stimulate intestinal contractions, promote the elimination of stool and temporarily combat constipation. While this helps reduce symptoms of constipation, taking more than one laxative tablet a week can be harmful to health, as it can induce an addiction, in which the gut does not begin to function until after taking the laxative.
- Therefore.
- The use of laxatives should only be done under medical supervision.
- Since at the appropriate dose.
- It may be recommended.
- When it is necessary to empty the intestine during the preparation of tests such as colonoscopy.
- For example.
It is important to adopt good health habits to avoid constipation and not use laxatives, it is recommended to eat high-fiber foods, drink plenty of water during the day, exercise regularly and go to the bathroom whenever you feel like it.
When it doesn’t defecate for at least 3 days, stools become harsh, eliminating harder ones and decreasing bowel functions, further worsening constipation. In these situations, the use of laxatives to promote bowel contractions and promote stool removal may be recommended.
However, when the use of laxatives becomes common, it can eventually make the intestine dependent on the drug, which acts only when stimulated by the laxative.
Excessive laxatives can also cause heart or kidney problems due to the elimination of important electrotics, such as calcium, as well as the vitamins and nutrients needed for the proper functioning of the body.
In addition to causing irritation of the intestinal mucosa and smoothing and lengthening the large intestine, which forces stool to travel longer to be eliminated. In addition, frequent use of laxatives results in a decrease in bowel roughness that helps shape stool and helps with bowel contractions.
The use of laxatives may be indicated in some cases, such as
However, the use of laxatives should only be done on a doctor’s recommendation, as in some cases they may interfere with other medicines that the person is using.
Contact laxatives are generally not indicated during pregnancy, nor patients with nausea and vomiting, as they can increase dehydration and aggravate the problem.
It is also contraindicated in constipated children, used only by indication of the pediatrician, as it can alter the intestinal flora, reducing its functioning.
In addition, this medicine should not be used in cases of bulimia or anorexia or when taking diuretics, such as furosemide, as it increases the loss of water and minerals in the body that can cause kidney or heart dysfunction, for example. .
The laxatives recommended by the doctor can be taken orally, in the form of drops or syrup solutions or by applying a suppository directly into the anus and cause an increase in faeces and help make the stool more, facilitating its exit.
However, a healthier, less health-risk option that can be used before laxative medications is to use juices and teas that have a laxative effect, such as orange papaya juice or sen tea, for example.
Watch the video to find out how
To increase bowel function, without having to use laxatives, it is recommended to start with natural strategies such as:
Generally, when intake of this type of food is daily, the intestine begins to function more regularly, eliminating the use of contact laxatives. Learn about the main causes of constipation and what to do.