health information
How do laxatives make people lose weight?
Question : How do laxatives make people lose weight?
Now, I’m not trying to do this..
I go to group therapy for teens with eating disorders, and I don’t understand how taking laxatives help you lose weight? I hear it a lot in therapy.. but don’t get it… Your still putting the food in your mouth… Does taking a laxative make the food pass before your body can absorb the fat, carbs, calories, etc….?!
group therapy for eating disorders
Best answer:
Answer by Meena
Yes.
When you take laxatives it makes you go to the bathroom almost immediately. So instead of declining food and forcing oneself to retch, they turn to laxatives because they get the satisfaction of eating and curing their hunger. They don’t have to worry about retching and the uncomfortableness that comes with it. However, laxatives are still dangerous because if you take too many you could damage the walls inside of your stomach and intestines.
Laxatives
Stimulant laxatives such as Ex-Lax and Correctol are the most common laxatives used by someone with an eating disorder. Laxatives have little or no effect on reducing weight because by the time they work, the calories have already been absorbed. The person usually feels like they have lost weight because of the amount of fluid that is lost. That feeling is only temporary because the body will start to retain water within a 48 to 72 hour period. This usually leaves the person feeling bloated and fearing they are gaining weight. This is usually what leads to repeated use of these products. Laxative abuse can cause bloody diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. Many people find that after prolonged use they cannot move their bowels without them. The person may also experience constipation, severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Laxative abuse is very dangerous, can lead to permanent damage to the bowels, severe medical complications and even death.
Laxatives are not always used for the sole purpose of trying to rid the body of calories that have been consumed. Just like vomiting is used as a way for someone to release built up feelings and emotions, laxatives can also be used for the same reason. A person may also abuse laxatives as a way to harm themselves. The physical pain resulting from laxative abuse may be a reason that a person continues to use them. They may believe they deserve the pain or they may find that dealing with physical pain is easier then dealing with emotional pain.
Hope this helps pretty lady