A chronic watery diarrhea caused by intentional or unintentional misuse of laxatives due to self-medication or provider error
System(s) affected: gastrointestinal, nervous, psychiatri...
Suspect in patients with undiagnosed, refractory chronic diarrhea.
Assess over-the-counter medication use, and take thorough dietary history (2).
Signs and symptoms: increasing frequenc...
Behavioral support is essential in intentional use.
Wean patient off laxatives and supplements; substitute high-fiber diet and bulk preparations or short-term saline enemas.
Tr...
Ongoing behavioral counseling
Careful medical support; frequent visits as needed
Assess serum electrolytes.
Inc...
Abraham BP, Sellin JH. Drug-induced, factitious, & idiopathic diarrhoea. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2012;26(5):633–648. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
Fine KD, Sant...
280982009 Abuse of laxatives (disorder)
27051000119102 Chronic abuse of laxatives (disorder...
Laxative abuse may be intentional or unintentional.
When associated with eating disorders, laxative abuse is associated with more severe disease.
Consider laxative abuse in patients with...
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