On Laxatives

from 2023-02-11 - The Howell Times

Dear Pharmacist

possible? Impacting the water-to-mineral balance with laxatives, or any drug for that matter may cause the following shifts in any person, which can cause dozens of problems. Laxatives notoriously cause:

Hypokalemia - low potassium in the blood

Hyponatremia - low sodium in the blood

Hypermagnesemia - high magnesium in the blood

Gut problems - the destruction of healthy gut microflora

Symptoms from these electrolyte imbalances may cause headaches, teary eyes, depression, anxiety, aggression, confusion, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, and more. Part of the problem is that laxatives are flushing things out of you including your gut microflora! That’s not good long-term because poor probiotic status causes low GABA and B12, and that alone may lead to emotional problems and even more gut problems than you started with.

6 Tips to Using Laxative Properly

Do not take laxatives longer than the label states, follow directions

Stay hydrated by drinking water or Pedialyte® which will help restore some balance to your potassium and other electrolytes. Drink enough fluids each day while taking this medication in order to offset dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Don’t combine laxatives.

Take a probiotic to restore gut flora. Change your diet so you won’t be so reliant on laxatives.

See a gastroenterologist and do the tests required to determine the root cause. An endocrinologist can test you for hypothyroidism, an overlooked but primary cause for chronic constipation. Laxatives are not intended for long-term use, or for children.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com)