I have been drinking senna for 40 years.

Senna is a very common laxative. It can achieve very good results for some people who suffer from heat constipation and food stagnation and abdominal distension. Therefore, many people in daily life use it to relieve constipation. In particular, some people think that senna is a natural medicine, safe to use, and of high quality and low price. Therefore, many people often drink senna to treat constipation. In fact, long-term drinking senna is very bad for health. So what are the disadvantages? Let's find out together.

Disadvantages of long-term drinking of senna:

1. Harmful side effects on the gastrointestinal system: Senna leaves contain sennosides, which can inhibit the intestine's absorption of water, thereby allowing the intestinal contents to rise rapidly. At the same time, it can also increase the supporting capacity of the intestine, which can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, etc. Severe cases can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding, with symptoms of upper abdominal pain, vomiting of coffee-like liquid, or tarry stools. Therefore, people with a history of gastric ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding should not take senna leaves.

2. Severe hypotension: If the elderly drink senna leaves, it may cause headaches and frequent vomiting, and may even cause a sharp rise or fall in blood pressure, and severe cases may cause shock. In clinical medicine, there are cases of people dying from hypotension caused by taking senna leaves, and the resultant treatment was ineffective, so it is recommended that the elderly avoid taking it as much as possible.

3. Dependence: Most patients can get good results with a relatively low dose when they first start taking senna, but as the duration of use increases, the dosage needs to be increased to be effective. Stopping the use of senna will cause more severe constipation and withdrawal symptoms, with symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, restlessness, and general discomfort and even pain.

4. Menstrual disorders: Women drinking senna during special periods may also cause some side effects. For example, taking senna during menstruation or pregnancy may cause menorrhagia or uterine bleeding. Long-term and excessive consumption during non-menstrual period may cause menstrual disorders. For breastfeeding women, if they take senna, its laxative ingredients can cause diarrhea in children through breast milk.

What are the disadvantages of drinking senna for a long time? The above are some of the harms it may cause. I hope everyone will pay attention when taking it. In fact, senna has a certain scope of application. It is only suitable for people with heat constipation. Therefore, not all people with constipation can take it. It is recommended that everyone choose according to their own conditions, especially for some elderly people, weak spleen and stomach, long-term illness and frail people with constipation. It is necessary to use senna with caution or not to use it to avoid side effects. It is only suitable for subacute constipation and cannot be taken for a long time. It should not be taken for chronic or habitual constipation.