Generally, more chronic diarrhea results in a metabolic alkalosis. Hyponatremia can also be present with these 3 purging behaviors. The hyponatremia encountered is most often of the hypovolemic type due to chronic fluid depletion as a result of the purging behaviors.
What electrolyte imbalance does bulimia cause?
The typical electrolyte abnormalities associated with bulimia are hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis. Different purging methods result in different constellations of serum and urine electrolyte disturbances (see accompanying table).
What labs are elevated in bulimia?
Laboratory abnormalities become more common with decreasing weight and increasing severity of purging behaviors. The electrolyte levels are most likely to be affected. Hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hyperphosphatemia, and metabolic alkalosis are common, especially in lower-weight bulimics.
Does bulimia cause hypercalcemia?
There have been a number of reports of hypercalcaemia associated with disordered eating as a result of dehydration, thiazide diuretic abuse and the milk-alkali syndrome,15 16 where patients suffering from bulimia seem to be particularly vulnerable.
What are 3 complications of bulimia?
Possible complications include: Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning. Dehydration, which can lead to major medical problems, such as kidney failure. Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure. Severe tooth decay and gum disease.
How does vomiting lead to hyponatremia?
Chronic, severe vomiting or diarrhea and other causes of dehydration. This causes your body to lose electrolytes, such as sodium, and also increases ADH levels. Drinking too much water. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause low sodium by overwhelming the kidneys’ ability to excrete water.
What electrolytes are depleted with vomiting?
Electrolytes and acid-base disorders The vomiting of gastric or intestinal contents most commonly involves the loss of fluid that contains chloride, potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate. The sequelae of these losses include dehydration along with hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hypokalemia.
What are 3 characteristics of bulimia?
- Usually a normal or above average body weight.
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating and fear of not being able to stop eating.
- Self-induced vomiting (usually secretive)
- Excessive exercise.
- Excessive fasting.
- Peculiar eating habits or rituals.
What happens to electrolytes with vomiting?
Electrolyte and water loss Excessive vomiting, especially over a prolonged period of time, leads to excess loss of water and electrolytes from the body. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates and chloride ions are essential for normal bodily functions.
Can blood Work detect bulimia?
There aren’t any laboratory tests to specifically diagnose bulimia. Your healthcare provider may order tests to see how bulimia has affected your health. These tests include: Blood test.
What disorder is commonly comorbid with bulimia?
Major depression is the most common comorbidity, followed by anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder in nearly 60% of bulimia nervosa patients.
What is a common metabolic complication associated with bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa can lead to a variety of general medical complications, including metabolic alkalosis, dehydration, constipation, and cardiac arrhythmias.
What is the most serious medical consequence of bulimia?
Those with bulimia are at heightened risk for dehydration because water volume can drop so quickly during a purging episode. If too much water is purged from the body, it can result in serious medical complications including hypovolemic (low blood volume) shock, seizures and kidney or heart failure.
Can bulimia make you dehydrated?
Folks living with eating disorders, particularly Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, are at a higher risk of dehydration. Severe dehydration can be very dangerous and must be taken seriously. Signs of dehydration in your child may include: Thirst.
How does bulimia affect the kidneys?
Unfortunately, both Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa significantly impact Kidneys. A person diagnosed with Bulimia is highly susceptible to develop painful kidney stones. Anorexia on the other hand increases the risk of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What is the most insignificant characteristic of a person with bulimia?
What is the most insignificant characteristic of a person with bulimia? The person is close to her ideal body weight. Bulimia nervosa is more prevalent than anorexia nervosa in both women and men. What is not a risk of being underweight?
What are 2 health consequences of bulimia?
The main health consequences of bulimic subjects are injury to the gastrointestinal tract, skin problems, hair loss, increased serum amylase levels, metabolic acidosis and hormonal imbalances that lead to amenorrhea in women (lack of menstrual cycle), up to electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia, hyponatraemia, …
What permanent damage does bulimia cause?
Other long-term consequences of bulimia include damage to the kidneys, increased risk of kidney stones and kidney failure, diabetes, high cholesterol, hormonal imbalances, fertility problems, chronic dehydration, chronic fatigue, and electrolyte imbalances.
Does vomiting cause hypernatremia?
The main cause of hypernatremia usually involves dehydration due to an impaired thirst mechanism or limited access to water, according to the Merck Manual. The disorder can also result from diarrhea or vomiting, taking diuretics or having a high fever.
Is vomiting a symptom of hypernatremia?
Symptoms of hypernatremia tend to be nonspecific. Anorexia, restlessness, nausea, and vomiting occur early. These symptoms are followed by altered mental status, lethargy or irritability, and, eventually, stupor or coma. Musculoskeletal symptoms may include twitching, hyperreflexia, ataxia, or tremor.
How does vomiting and diarrhea cause hypernatremia?
Hypovolemic hyponatremia can result from GI or renal losses of fluid. It was previously noted that vomiting and diarrhea typically involves fluid loss which has sodium + potassium concentration less than that of plasma and may result in hypernatremia.
What electrolyte abnormality is likely to develop in a patient with vomiting?
Hyponatremia is the most common form of electrolyte disorder in the emergency room. The symptoms are unspecific and include nausea, dizziness and often falls. Typical symptoms of severe hypernatremia are vomiting, cerebral seizures, somnolence and even coma.
How do you know if your electrolytes are depleted?
The most common sign of low electrolytes is muscle cramping, which can be excruciating and debilitating.
What IV fluid is best for vomiting?
Ringer’s lactate IV fluid is preferred. If not available, use normal saline or dextrose solution. It is important to measure the amount of IV fluids delivered and measure the fluid lost as diarrhea and vomitus.
What are 5 warning signs of bulimia?
- Episodes of binge eating.
- Self-induced vomiting.
- Smelling like vomit.
- Misuse of laxatives and diuretics.
- Complaining about body image.
- Expressing guilt or shame about eating.
- Depression.
- Irritability.