How does bulimia affect potassium?

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Potassium. Low potassium level, or hypokalemia, is the most serious consequence of bulimia because it causes heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), cardiomyopathy (weakening heart), muscle weakness that can border on paralysis, and tetany (involuntary muscle contractions)2.

What labs are abnormal with bulimia?

LABORATORY ABNORMALITIES The electrolyte levels are most likely to be affected. Hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hyperphosphatemia, and metabolic alkalosis are common, especially in lower-weight bulimics.

What causes hypokalemia in bulimia?

The pathophysiologic reasons for hypokalemia and hypochloremia seen with all significant purging behaviors are 2-fold and interrelated. First, and most obvious, there is loss of potassium in the purged gastric contents, excessive stool from laxative abuse, or in the urine through diuretic abuse.

What deficiencies does bulimia cause?

Bulimia can eventually lead to physical problems associated with not getting the right nutrients, vomiting a lot, or overusing laxatives. Possible complications include: feeling tired and weak. dental problems – stomach acid from persistent vomiting can damage tooth enamel.

How does bulimia show up in blood tests?

There aren’t any laboratory tests to specifically diagnose bulimia. Your healthcare provider may order tests to see how bulimia has affected your health.

Does bulimia cause acidosis or alkalosis?

The typical electrolyte abnormalities associated with bulimia are hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis.

Does bulimia cause magnesium deficiency?

Frequent purging can cause malnutrition, especially low magnesium. A magnesium deficiency can also cause calcium and potassium deficiencies, as magnesium helps absorb and transport these electrolytes through the body. Symptoms of mild hypomagnesemia include: Twitches, especially in the facial muscles.

How does vomiting affect electrolytes?

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.

Which eating disorder is most closely associated with electrolyte imbalances?

The most frequent electrolyte imbalances seen in anorexia are hyponatremia (a low concentration of sodium ions in the bloodstream) and hypokalemia (a low concentration of potassium ions).

Does bulimia cause low sodium?

Both anorexia and bulimia can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Malnutrition from either disorder can prevent the body from receiving the nutrients it needs (including sodium), and this can lead to sodium concentrations becoming imbalanced.

How can bulimia cause dehydration?

Circulatory system. Frequent purging can cause dehydration. This leads to weak muscles and extreme fatigue. It can also throw your electrolytes out of balance and put strain on your heart.

Is hyperkalemia associated with anorexia nervosa?

In an adolescent with anorexia nervosa, recurrent hyperkalemia was caused by obsessive eating of up to 20 bananas per day. In another case, a patient with schizophrenia and psychogenic polydipsia was water-restricted but developed hyperkalemia because she replaced water with excessive consumption of orange juice.

Which of the following electrolyte abnormalities is consistent with binge purging behavior?

Metabolic alkalosis or a high serum bicarbonate (often denoted as carbon dioxide on lab reports) level is one of the most common electrolyte abnormalities seen in eating disorders associated with purging via vomiting.

What vitamins should bulimics take?

B Vitamins These vitamins are also important in preventing depression. The B vitamins that are most important to appetite control include vitamin B6, vitamin B12, inositol, and folate. They can be taken as individual supplements or, in many cases, taken together in the form of a B complex.

Are bulimics dehydrated?

Effects of bulimia When you are living with bulimia, you are putting your body—and even your life—at risk. The most dangerous side effect of bulimia is dehydration due to purging. Vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, most commonly in the form of low potassium levels.

What tests are used to diagnose bulimia?

  • Talk to you about your eating habits, weight-loss methods and physical symptoms.
  • Do a physical exam.
  • Request blood and urine tests.
  • Request a test that can identify problems with your heart (electrocardiogram)
  • Perform a psychological evaluation, including a discussion of your attitude toward your body and weight.

Does bulimia cause metabolic alkalosis?

Metabolic abnormalities may vary among individuals struggling with bulimia based on type of purging methods, as the different purging methods can impact the body differently. A common metabolic complication resulting from severe vomiting includes hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis.

Can bloodwork tell if you have an eating disorder?

A variety of laboratory tests and bloodwork may be needed to determine the correct eating disorder diagnosis and assess the appropriate level of care for an affected individual. The laboratory tests will evaluate the following types of factors: Blood sugar levels.

Why is amylase increased in bulimia?

Conclusion. These findings provide evidence to suggest that it is recurrent binge eating involving large amounts of food, rather than self-induced vomiting, which contributes to elevated serum amylase values in BN.

Why does hypokalemia cause metabolic alkalosis?

The excess of sodium absorption will leave a negatively charged lumen, which will augment potassium trapping in the lumen as well as protons leading to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. The treatment of this condition, in addition to blood pressure control, is the administration of spironolactone or eplerenone.

What is pseudo Bartter syndrome?

Pseudo Bartter syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by metabolic alkalosis, hypokalaemia, hyperaldosteronism, hyperreninism, normal blood pressure and hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. The most dangerous complication of Pseudo Bartter syndrome is hypokalemia.

What causes low potassium and magnesium?

Low potassium and magnesium levels can be caused by diuretics and some medications, as well as excessive alcohol use, intestinal ailments and a variety of other health conditions.

What are the symptoms of hypomagnesemia?

  • Tremors.
  • Tetany (muscle spasms, muscle cramps and/or numbness in your hands and feet).
  • Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus).
  • Fatigue and weakness.

Does bulimia cause hypoglycemia?

Bulimia with bingeing and vomiting can also cause hypoglycemia and alter glucose levels.

What electrolyte is lost during 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.

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