Laxative Dependence is a risk for people who use stimulant laxatives for a long time. Cathartic colon is the name for physiological and anatomical changes caused by long term stimulant laxative use. Although some experts dispute the existence of cathartic colon, several reliable sources document the details of this disorder. Cathartic colon is characterized by changes in the nerves and muscles of the large intestine. Cathartic colon leads to laxative dependence. Once laxative dependence sets in, it becomes difficult to have bowel movements without taking a laxative. A prudent consumer may consider other colon products instead of stimulants that can cause laxative dependence.
A Healthy Large Intestine
The large intestine is the last part of the digestive system. It starts at the exit of the small intestine and goes all the way to the anus. Layers of muscle wrapped around the large intestine push stool through it. The inner muscle layer is circular muscle and makes rings around the large intestine. The outer muscle layer is longitudinal muscle and runs along the length of the large intestine. The nerves associated with the large intestine sense certain condition such as how full a section of the large intestine is. These nerves also direct the muscles of the large intestine. A wave of contractions by the muscles of the large intestine pushes the contents of the large intestine along. This wave of contractions is called peristalsis and is essential to healthy colon functioning.

A Damaged Large Intestine
Research in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology suggests that long term stimulant laxative use alters nerve and muscle tissue. The scientists compared an experimental group of 29 constipated people who had depended on stimulant laxatives for at least 1 year with a control group of 26 constipated people who did not use stimulant laxatives. They took x-rays of each subject’s colon. A radiologist examined each x-ray without knowing which group the x-ray belonged to. The researchers concluded that bisacodyl, senna, casanthranol and phenolphthalein cause noticeable damage to the nerves and longitudinal muscles of the large intestine. Other biologists have written about additional symptoms of cathartic colon. The muscles of people with cathartic colon lose their tone. The large intestine can elongate, and the natural reflex to make a bowel movement can weaken. When patients do make a bowel movement, they might fail to evacuate all of the stool. Cathartic colon can be associated with bloating, abdominal pain and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. The condition interferes with nutrient absorption. People with cathartic colon can have fluid and electrolyte imbalances or face deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. Bone softening is linked to cathartic colon.
Better Choices
Fortunately, there are alternatives to stimulant laxatives. One, called H2Go® from Lane Innovations, acts as a hyperosmotic laxative. While stimulate laxatives affect the nerves and muscles of the colon, H2Go works by altering the water content of the stool. Magnesium atoms in the H2Go bind water to the stool. Stool with a higher water content is softer, which makes it pass more easily through the large intestine.*
Health product consumers have a choice in laxatives. Stimulant laxatives can lead to laxative dependence and cathartic colon. Cathartic colon involves damage to the nerves and muscles of the large intestine and disruption of the large intestine’s ability to absorb water, vitamins and minerals. People can find that their ability to naturally have bowel movements decreases through laxative dependence. They may wish to consider other options.
Sources
- Alterations in Colonic Anatomy Induced by Chronic Stimulant Laxatives: The Cathartic Colon Revisited Joo et al. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. June 1998 Volume 26 Issue 4 pp 283 – 286. http://journals.www.com/jcge/Abstract/1998/06000/Alterations_in_Colonic_Anatomy_Induced_by_Chronic.14.aspx
- Medscape Today from WebMD http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/437034_7
- Cathartic Colon Marshak and Gerson. Radiographic Notes http://www.springerlink.com/content/76v607xq8m651476/
- Toxnet from the NIH http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+5368
- The Large Intestine by Colorado State University http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/largegut/index.html12
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H2Go, by LaneInnovative, contains Active Magnesia that draws water into the colon to make elimination easy and regular. Two small easy-to-swallow mini-tabs daily can help end your worries about constipation.*
Constipation is the problem nobody wants to talk about, yet it affects almost everyone at one time or another. For some it is a byproduct of certain health issues. For many others, constipation is an inconvenient, periodic concern that has simply become too uncomfortable to ignore. Traditionally, people deal with occasional constipation by taking fiber or laxatives. But there is another option growing in popularity —helping to prevent constipation with a natural mineral supplement called H2Go.*
Harsh laxatives or fiber are not the best answer
Many laxatives work by artificially stimulating or irritating your colon into a flurry of activity. If they work too well, the result can be diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, cramps, which is not only uncomfortable but embarrassing. These laxatives can start you on a yo-yo cycle of alternating constipation and diarrhea. And the more often you use them, the more likely your colon will lose its natural responsiveness and become laxative dependent.
Taking fiber may seem like a better idea, but it is not always easy on your system. Fiber works by absorbing water and increasing bulk in the colon. That is why you should drink lots of water when taking fiber. For some people that is just not feasible. And you may find that all that fiber leaves you feeling bloated or uncomfortably full. Moreover, fiber takes time to work, a critical consideration when you are constipated, and many fiber products don’t taste good.
The secret is….water
To prevent constipation, the secret is water (moisture), to soften the stool for regular, comfortable elimination. H2Go is a regularity supplement unlike any other. It helps your body draw and hold water into the colon without the bad taste or discomfort of fiber. H2Go is an easy to take mini-tab. It contains a highly active form of magnesium, called Active Magnesia – which brings water into the colon and holds it there to make elimination easy, comfortable and regular. Active Magnesia has up to four times the water-attracting power of other magnesium forms. There is nothing like it. It is not just an osmotic, it is a Hyperosmotic. Working almost like a giant sponge, H2Go increases the collection of water in the colon to support healthy, regular elimination.*
Unlike harsh laxatives, H2Go does not artificially stimulate or irritate your colon. It doesn’t add uncomfortable bulk like fiber. Instead it gently harnesses nature’s most effective stool softener, water, to help keep your system on a regular schedule while continually and thoroughly cleansing your colon.*
Gentle and Effective
H2Go comes from Japan where it has been a best seller in Japan for years. Tens of thousands of people have sworn by H2Go in the United States. Two small, easy-to-swallow H2Go mini-tabs each day will gently and gradually cleanse your colon, eliminate toxins and, most importantly, help keep you regular. With H2Go, you may not have to worry about constipation anymore.*
SUGGESTED USE:
Overnight Relief: Take 5 mini-tabs with 8 oz. of water before bed.
For Daily Regularity: Take 5 mini-tabs with 8 oz. of water before bed for 3 days. Reduce intake by 1 mini-tab each day, until you reach your personal comfort level of 1-2 mini-tabs daily.
Colon Cleanse*: Take 5 mini-tabs with 8 oz. of water before bed for 7 consecutive days.
Discontinue use if stomach pain or diarrhea occurs.
See a physician first if you are pregnant, breast feeding, have kidney problems or before administering to children.
Store in a cool, dry place. Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if bottle seal is broken or missing.
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