I read with alarm in the NY Times this weekend about the growing number of children who are dependent on laxatives, in particular Miralax, which pediatricians widely recommend for longterm use in kids.  Miralax increases water content in the colon by means of the drug polyethylene glycol 3350 or PEG.  Many children have been on the stuff for years, despite the lack of testing of PEG in young children and despite the label’s recommendation that the drug be used for ages 17+ and for up to only 7 days.  I have no idea what the eventual health implications of longterm PEG use might be, but it’s uncontroversial that when we mess with the body’s natural urge to eliminate, we screw up the signaling and movement patterns in the colon.  Hence the companion article in the NY Times containing advice about how to “retrain” your kid’s bowels.  Incredible. [Read more…]