Laxative abuse
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| F55 | Abuse of non-addictive substances |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
From a laxative abuse (abuse of laxatives) is when people who are not in need of treatment constipation suffer (constipation), laxatives (laxative) abusive in very high doses (some 100 times higher daily dose) to the (alleged) weight loss or other reasons take in. The laxative abuse is common in anorexia - or bulimia watching -Patients. Severe chronic diarrhea can be induced using laxatives to attract attention and care.
The group of people with deliberate abuse generally prefers dosage forms such as small tablets or drops that can be discreetly taken in large quantities.
In extreme cases, laxative abusers who at the same time severely restrict their food intake or withdraw food and fluid from the body by inducing vomiting can lead to electrolyte loss (especially hypokalaemia ) as a result of chronic diarrhea and as a consequence to cardiac arrhythmias and kidney failure.
However, these are rather rare exceptions that should not be confused with the therapeutic use of laxatives for constipation. Experts therefore clearly differentiate laxative abuse from chronic therapeutic laxative use.
A clear indication of laxative abuse or overdose is the continued use of laxatives despite diarrhea.
Body weight cannot be reduced with laxatives. With a reasonable dosage, the natural intestinal processes get going again, with overdosing the body only loses water and electrolytes, but not fat.
swell
- Consensus Paper Expert Forum: Constipation and Laxatives. In: Practice. (1999); 88, pp. 1269-1274.
