Is it safe to take a laxative once a week
How long should i wait to eat after taking a laxative
What is the best laxative to clean you out.
What Happens If You Take Laxatives Every Day?
Key Takeaways
- More Americans are relying on laxatives for having regular bowel movements.
- Gastroenterologists say they don't recommend laxatives as a first-line treatment for constipation.
Instead, increasing fiber in your diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising usually help.
- Laxative abuse can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, worsen constipation, increase the risk of UTIs, and damage the organs that interact with the digestive tract.
Constipation is turning into a booming business opportunity in the United States, with Americans spending hundreds of millions of dollars on laxatives each year.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the habitual use of laxatives has even contributed to a shortage of polyethylene glycol 3350, an osmotic laxative that helps soften the stool.
Although laxatives can treat constipation, healthcare providers don't always recommend them as a first-line treatment.
“I would try increasing fiber in the diet, exercising, and drinking plenty of water