Laxative Dependency, Constipation Relieve Risk

Insight on How Laxative Works

Those who suffered from constipation usually rely on laxatives, but what we don’t realize is that laxative has dangerous potentials to our digestive systems. A friend of mine recently complains about how worse his colon condition was. It was continued even after he changed his diet to high fiber foods. His only resort is laxative and it was turned okay for a while. However, after a long exposure, his condition was getting worse. As gross as it might sounds, his feces was all liquids and extra painful after relying on laxative for three straight weeks. After asking from an ND (naturopathy doctor) friend of mine (he was too shy to ask himself), I finally get all the answer.
The liquids came from the foods and drinks plus digestive substances like bile and pancreatic enzymes. Normally, intestine will absorb 90% of those liquids so when feces enters the colon, it will become solid. The liquids are useful to provide easier nutrition absorbtion.

The laxatives however, reduce the original function directly. You see the laxative mechanism is usually to stimulate our intestine’s peristaltic pump, makes our stomach aches and force our colon to push our feces out, including all the ions and enzymes that happen to be unabsorbed by our intestines. That is why feces are mushy and watery.

Long term usages of laxative could interrupt electrolyte balance in our blood, causing dehydration, infections, indigestion, and continous cycle of diarrhea and constipation. In short, using laxative is not as useful as you may think.

Eating high fiber foods will not solve constipation problem overnight if your colon condition was already occurred for a long time. Chronic constipation could make your colon deformed, causing constriction and prolapses, disturbing the sewage flow in your large intestines. Stoppage could also be caused by tumor, infection, polip, or worms.Check your condition to your internist specialist before handling your constipation problems.

While undergoing treatment, healthy diets should be maintained. For a while avoid fatty foods like deep fried or red meats. Also avoid wheat and high fructose foods. Continue your high fiber diet up and try to consume your fruits and vegetables raw. Consume a lot of water and chew your food a little while. Those were what my ND friend recommended for those dependent to laxatives.