Description
A disorder in which a person takes excessive amounts of laxatives. Laxatives are medications that help a person with constipation have a bowel movement. These medications can be abused and are usually taken to lose weight. Serious blood chemistry abnormalities may occur. The bowel can also stop contracting on its own requiring the use of laxatives to function normally; this is sometimes called a "lazy colon" or "intestinal paralysis."
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dehydration.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests will be done to measure the body's electrolytes and identify dehydration.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Urinalysis (UA)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Geriatric Psychiatry, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests will be done to measure the body's electrolytes and identify dehydration.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Urinalysis (UA)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Geriatric Psychiatry, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Treatment
Treatment includes: psychological counseling, reversal of any blood chemistry abnormalities, and intravenous fluids.