Laxative constipation

Introduction Abuse of laxatives can also cause constipation. Although laxatives can treat constipation and help with bowel movements, if used for a long time, the intestines will form a dependence on laxatives, autonomous exercise will be weakened, and the intestinal nervous system will be damaged, resulting in constipation. The result of the abuse of laxatives is to make constipation even worse.

Cause

The main mechanism is long-term use of laxatives, damage to colonic smooth muscle nerve cells, which causes the colon to reduce the responsiveness of intestinal contents, causing colonic motor dysfunction, and constipation is usually reduced by the frequency of defecation, generally every 2~ Constipation is performed once every 3 days or more (or <3 times per week). However, its detailed pathological mechanism has not been studied yet.

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For chronic habitual constipation, it is not possible to rely on laxatives for a long time to avoid habituation, and long-term application can lead to rash, or allergic reactions, and intestinal inflammation, dermatitis and bleeding tendency. Some long-term use can prevent the absorption of calcium, phosphorus and other fat-soluble vitamins. Some are prone to cause gastrointestinal dysfunction, which causes gastritis, gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia. In particular, sputum laxatives, such as senna, rhubarb, cassia seed, aloe vera, fruit guide tablets, etc., because of the colonic melanosis, and the collateral laxatives caused by colonic melanosis are more consistent Precancerous lesions, unless there is indications, generally do not use such laxatives, it is necessary to use short-term, intermittent administration. Irritant laxatives can cause severe cramps, and long-term use can cause electrolyte imbalance and acid-base balance disorders. When used regularly for many years, it can cause "diarrhea colon". Because it is difficult to identify, it is often diagnosed as intractable constipation, more laxatives are used, and even other improper treatments are applied. Therefore, laxatives cannot be applied for a long time.

Differential diagnosis

, functional constipation

Functional constipation refers to constipation caused by factors such as changes in lifestyle, food factors, emotional depression, poor bowel habits, and drug effects. For example, people who travel abroad may suffer from constipation due to factors such as the law of life, changes in the surrounding environment, and fatigue. This constipation is a functional constipation. In patients with functional constipation, in addition to irritable bowel syndrome, the purpose of curing constipation can be achieved by regularizing life, rational food, regulating emotions, forming good bowel habits and removing other causes. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome, constipation is a functional constipation, but it must go to the hospital for a step-by-step examination.

Second, acute constipation

Acute constipation refers to constipation that suddenly occurs in the near future, including temporary functional constipation and symptomatic constipation. Temporary functional constipation is often caused by sudden changes in the living environment, "time depression, depression, eating too little, etc." This kind of constipation, in addition to abdominal distension, will not have other pains. If you eliminate the cause and get used to it, constipation can heal itself. Symptomatic constipation is an organic constipation, caused by disease, sudden onset, can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting and other symptoms, such as acute intestinal obstruction, intestinal narrowing and other constipation. In this case, the cause should be quickly identified and dealt with in a timely manner.

Third, colonic constipation

Colonic constipation, also known as flaccid constipation, is due to a decrease in colonic tone, that is, relaxation of the intestinal smooth muscle and weakening of the intestinal peristalsis, causing the diet residue to run slowly in the colon, causing constipation. Colonic constipation occurs mostly in patients with weak constitution, accompanied by symptoms of visceral ptosis, as well as elderly aging, major illness or decreased physical strength. Long-term persistent constipation of the colon can cause abdominal distension, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and other symptoms.

Fourth, spastic constipation

Spastic constipation is a functional constipation. It is because the colon activity is too strong, causing colonic spasm, the intestinal lumen is too narrow, constipation caused by the inability of the stool to pass, also known as irritable bowel syndrome, which is characterized by constipation and diarrhea. Or long-term diarrhea. The main cause of spastic constipation is the mental factor. The constipation is characterized by: lower abdominal pain after a meal, immediate intention, discharge of hard and small thin strips of feces, and a small amount. Patients with spastic constipation must go to the hospital for further examination.

For chronic habitual constipation, it is not possible to rely on laxatives for a long time to avoid habituation, and long-term application can lead to rash, or allergic reactions, and intestinal inflammation, dermatitis and bleeding tendency. Some long-term use can prevent the absorption of calcium, phosphorus and other fat-soluble vitamins. Some are prone to cause gastrointestinal dysfunction, which causes gastritis, gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia. In particular, sputum laxatives, such as senna, rhubarb, cassia seed, aloe vera, fruit guide tablets, etc., because of the colonic melanosis, and the collateral laxatives caused by colonic melanosis are more consistent Precancerous lesions, unless there is indications, generally do not use such laxatives, it is necessary to use short-term, intermittent administration. Irritant laxatives can cause severe cramps, and long-term use can cause electrolyte imbalance and acid-base balance disorders. When used regularly for many years, it can cause "diarrhea colon". Because it is difficult to identify, it is often diagnosed as intractable constipation, more laxatives are used, and even other improper treatments are applied. Therefore, laxatives cannot be applied for a long time.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.