Last year around Christmas time, my sister was bulemic. She lives in another state, but when she came home for Christmas, she had to hide it, and it was really hard to, because we could hear her. This Christmas, I noticed she is not throwing up, but I was thinking she could be taking laxatives. She is in the bathroom every night going #2 and sometimes she is in there for a while. What do you think?
2006-12-25 17:41:58 · 14 answers · asked by His Angel 4 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I have to add that she won't eat out at restaurants and will only eat food that she makes herself.
2006-12-25 17:44:23 · update #1
Only reason I ask this question is because she has very strange behaviors when it comes to food, and it just doesn't seem normal to me.
2006-12-25 17:49:06 · update #2
If she was making herself vomit on purpose and now she's taking laxatives on a regular basis..yes...most definitely another stage of her eating disorder.
2006-12-25 17:44:21 · answer #1 · answered by Sun Spot 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it is actually healthy to "go # 2" at least once a day, so she might not be on laxatives. Maybe you should talk to her about it privately and find out for sure. As for the original question, taking laxatives is considered to be an eating disorder. She can also face a lot of health problems if she is taking them. Here are a few complications:
Edema. As noted before, laxatives cause fluid loss. Dramatic changes or fluctuations in fluid balance confuse the body's self-regulating protective mechanisms by retaining fluid. As a result, prolonged laxative abuse frequently leads to fluid retention or edema.
Bleeding. People who abuse laxatives, especially the stimulant-type laxatives, can develop blood in their stools. Chronic blood loss associated with laxative abuse can lead to anemia.
Impaired bowel function. People who abuse stimulant-type laxatives can develop permanent impairment of bowel function.
Check out the source link below for more information. Good luck!
2006-12-25 17:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by chemikalie08 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if she has an eating disorder then nothing revolving around food will be normal for her. and yes laxatives are most often abused by people with eating disorders. it helps you feel thinner and loose weight by cleaning out your colon. its extremely un healthy to use laxatives alot. it can make you dependant on them and not be able to have a bowel movement with out them.also you get dehidrated when you use them and need to drink lots of water. your sister needs medical help if she has a real problem which it sounds like she does have a problem. you can tell her that you love her and you worry about her health and happiness and that you will be there for her emotionally. ask her if she thinks she has a problem if she says yes try to get her in rehab or get help. but she most likely will lie and hide it for you. good luck.
2006-12-25 20:09:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laxative abuse is one thing that people with eating disorders use to help push the food through the digestive tract faster so they hopefully absorb less of it. Unless you actually think you say her taking laxatives it could be that she tries for a nightly bm and is actually constipated and was spending time in the bathroom trying to pass a consitpated stool.
2006-12-25 17:45:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes taking Laxatives is an eating disorder.
2006-12-25 17:45:24 · answer #5 · answered by Babycakes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say absolutely yes. I abused laxatives my first few years in college and regret it still. After prolonged use, you could actually develop a condition known as "dead bowel." This goes along with dependence on laxatives-your bowel is unable to function on it's own and is effectively "dead" and requires some sort of stimulation to work properly.
2006-12-25 18:59:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, using laxatives to try to get rid of excess weight is definitely an eating disorder. It sounds like your sister is in serious trouble. Do whatever you can to convince her to get help.
2006-12-25 20:36:28 · answer #7 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Yes! Yes! Prolonged use of prescription or OTC laxatives can be harmful. Extended use over time can cause laxative dependence, and more health risks as well. My advice discuss this and everything with your doctor.
2006-12-25 18:05:21 · answer #8 · answered by s-s-u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's part of an eating disorder if you take them daily to control weight loss.
2006-12-25 17:45:17 · answer #9 · answered by docie555@yahoo.com 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's abusing laxatives, yes.
If she simply can't go to the washroom, no need to prance on her like a tiger.
2006-12-25 17:45:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋