Caution: Are you taking laxative/ lubricant since long time for your Constipation?
I have seen many patients who have chronic constipation and they
are habituated of taking laxative every day. I have also
seen patients who don’t have regular constipation but still
they take laxative daily just to keep
their stomach empty. It is obvious that
when you don’t get a smooth bowel movement
in the morning, it feels very frustrating. But be cautious if
you are taking laxative for very long time, it will
interfere in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like
Vitamin-A, Vitamin-D, Vitamin-E and Vitamin K.
Let’s understand what does it mean for you?
Why should you be concerned?
1)Your vitamin A deficiency can lead to:
- Dryness of eye-it is the hallmark feature of clinical vitamin A deficiency and
is characterized by abnormalities of conjunctiva and cornea of your eye.
- Night blindness-individual suffering from night
blindness cannot see in dim light or around dusk.
- Black spot on your sclera (bitot’s spot)- it is dry triangular spot on conjunctiva
2)Vitamin D deficiency will make your bone week:
It can cause osteomalacia– it is softening and demineralization of
your bones leading to deformities of legs, spine, thorax and pelvis.
As bones are softened, your weight may cause bowing of legs. It can also cause rheumatic
pain in bones of your legs and back leading to general
weakness with difficulty in walking.
Thus, your soft & fragile bone may get fractured easily.
3)If you are deficient in vitamin K, you
will be having a delayed blood clotting:
this means, in case of an injury, you
may lose more blood and in case of haemorrhage, it
will lead to more damage because of difficulty in controlling the bleeding.
4)Vitamin E deficiency can lead to multiple problem like:
- Memory loss
- Muscle cramps
- Hair fall
Even if you take enough of these vitamins, your body won’t be
able to absorb it due to the laxatives/lubricants you are
taking for your constipation!
IS THERE ANY SOLUTION?
YES…. Your food can be your medicine for constipation:
Just click here to watch a short (2 minutes 34 seconds) video to
learn what can do and which food might help!
Dietitians don’t only help you to reduce your weight. We
also help you in treatment of various diseases-it is
called therapeutic diet. Consult your dietitian for
‘Natural cure’ of your ‘constipation’.
That’s all for today…
See you next Tuesday
With another Tuesday tip
Till then……
Take care……
Providing simple solutions for the complexities of life-
Dr. Bhumita Makwana
Your dietitian & cosmetic clinician.
