What do laxatives do in the body

Sometimes crampy pains occur in the lower part of your tummy abdomen. You may also feel bloated and feel sick if you have severe constipation. Constipation may be caused by not eating enough fibre, or not drinking enough fluids.

It can also be a side-effect of certain medicines, or related to an underlying medical condition. In many cases, the cause is not clear. For more information see the separate leaflet called Constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives are sometimes called fibre supplements. They increase the bulk of your stools faeces in a similar way to fibre. They partly work by absorbing water a bit like blotting paper.

The increase in the bulk of your faeces stimulates the muscles in your gut to squeeze faeces along and out of the body. Fibre is the part of plant food that is not digested. It stays in your gut and is passed in the stools. Fibre adds bulk to the stools. You can increase your fibre intake by food as well as medication. Osmotic laxatives work by increasing the amount of fluid in the large bowel by drawing fluid into it osmosis.

Less fluid is then absorbed into the bloodstream from the large bowel. The bowels become more filled distended because of the extra fluid, and the stools are softer. The extra volume stimulates the muscles of the walls of the bowels to contract.

These muscle contractions called peristalsis squeeze the faeces along. Stimulant laxatives stimulate the nerves in the large bowel the colon and rectum - sometimes also called the large intestine. This then causes the muscle in the wall of the large bowel to squeeze harder than usual.

This pushes the faeces along and out. Mostly, laxatives are taken by mouth orally. In some cases, your doctor may prefer to treat your constipation by giving medication via the back passage anus. The choice of laxative usually depends on various factors.

These include what you would prefer, the symptoms of constipation that you have, how severe your constipation is, the possible side-effects of the laxative, your other medical conditions, and cost. As a general rule:. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding there are a number of laxatives that are thought to be safe to take.

If you do need to take a laxative when you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about which one you should use. Sometimes, an enema is needed in severe constipation and can be used to clear out the lower bowel rectum.

High doses of the macrogol osmotic laxatives are used to treat constipation when it is very severe and the stools are stuck impacted.

This should be under the supervision and advice of a doctor. Liquid paraffin used to be commonly used as a faecal softener. However, it is now not recommended, as it may cause side-effects such as seeping from the anus and irritating the skin, and it can interfere with the absorption of some vitamins from the gut. The newer medicine, linaclotide, is used for people with constipation due to irritable bowel syndrome who are not responding to other treatments.

Lubiprostone is a newer medicine occasionally used in adults who have severe constipation not responding to other treatments. Prucalopride is for women only who have severe constipation which is not responding to other treatments. Bulk-forming laxatives can have some effect within hours but their full effect usually takes days to develop.

Osmotic laxatives such as lactulose can take days to have any effect so they are not suitable for the rapid relief of constipation. Stimulant laxatives usually work within hours. A bedtime dose is recommended so you are likely to feel the urge to go to the toilet sometime the following morning.

Laxatives work on the large intestine. By the time waste reaches that area of the body, the small intestine has already absorbed the calories from the food consumed. Laxatives may, however, cause temporary loss of water, electrolytes, minerals and waste product sitting in the lower intestine.

This can make a person feel like they have a flatter stomach or cause the numbers on the scale to read a bit lighter. But as soon as the individual drinks water, the weight returns. The digestive process starts the moment we put food into our mouths. Chewing breaks down food for easier processing by the body.

In the stomach, digestive acids and enzyme further process the food, before emptying into the small intestine. In the small intestine, digestion continues with the help of enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. From there, waste products move into the large intestine. The rectum, at the lower end of the large intestine, stores stool until it can be pushed out of the anus during a bowel movement. After taking laxatives for a period of time, the body begins to rely on the help of the laxative in order to move waste through the body.

People become both psychologically and physically dependent on laxatives, more quickly than many realize. Constipation: Laxatives are used to treat constipation, but when abused, laxatives can actually cause constipation to worsen.

Laxatives work by artificially stimulating, or irritating, the nerves in the large intestine. This stimulation makes the intestinal muscles contract and move the stool out of the body.

But when used for too long or at too high of a quantity, laxatives can damage the nerves. Keeping the colon empty is also risky. When the muscles in the colon are prevented from working as they should, they weaken over time.

Together, these side effects interfere with normal bowel movements. The person may become dependent on higher and higher doses of a laxative to move stool out. People who have abused laxatives can go weeks without a bowel movement. Constipation can be extremely uncomfortable. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain and overall discomfort. Combination of constipation, diarrhea, and gas: Laxative use traps gas in the intestines, leading people to feel full and bloated.

One of the most common side effects of laxative use is dehydration. Dehydration may also be linked to more serious side effects, mentioned later in this article. Summary: Some types of laxatives work by pulling water into the intestines and stool, resulting in a loss of water and potentially dangerous dehydration. Laxatives May Cause an Electrolyte Imbalance. Some common electrolytes include chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphate.

Summary: Laxative use can alter the balance of electrolytes in the body and can cause many adverse side effects, such as fatigue, muscle aches and heart palpitations. However, most reports of laxative dependency are anecdotal. Summary: There are some anecdotal reports of laxative dependency with long-term use. However, more studies are needed on the potential side effects of long-term laxative use. Other Possible Side Effects of Laxatives.

In addition to causing dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and possible dependence, laxative use has been associated with a number of other dangerous side effects, including: Rhabdomyolysis: One case study showed that laxative abuse may have induced rhabdomyolysis, causing the rapid deterioration of muscle tissue and the release of a harmful protein into the bloodstream Gastrointestinal damage: A small study found that some recovered anorexia patients had changes in gastrointestinal function and long-term pancreatic damage as a result of former laxative use Liver damage: A case study reported that laxative use contributed to liver damage in one patient Kidney failure: Another case study showed that overusing laxatives appeared to have caused severe kidney failure requiring dialysis, a treatment that helps remove waste and toxins from the blood However, more research is needed on the potential long-term effects and safety of laxative use.

Summary: A few studies have linked laxative use to serious conditions including rhabdomyolysis, gastrointestinal damage, liver damage and kidney failure, though more research is needed.

Better Ways to Lose Weight. A higher intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower body weight 16 , Increase your physical activity: Participating in aerobic exercise a few times per week can aid in weight loss and help prevent weight regain Reduce your portion sizes: Smaller portions mean fewer calories.

One study even found that simply using smaller plates caused participants to eat less Eat a high-protein breakfast: Starting your day with a protein-packed breakfast has been shown to reduce appetite and food intake over the course of the day Laxatives can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements. Learn more about natural laxatives. Many people think laxatives can help them lose weight quickly. However, there are serious concerns over their safety and effectiveness.

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