Vomiting or nasogastric (NG) suction generates metabolic alkalosis by the loss of gastric secretions, which are rich in hydrochloric acid (HCl). Whenever a hydrogen ion is excreted, a bicarbonate ion is gained in the extracellular space.
Does bulimia cause acidosis or alkalosis?
The typical electrolyte abnormalities associated with bulimia are hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis.
Why does bulimia cause acidosis?
Patients who purge by vomiting may present with metabolic alkalosis (elevated serum bicarbonate levels) due to volume contraction. However, patients who primarily abuse laxatives may present with metabolic acidosis (decreased serum bicarbonate levels) due to loss of alkaline fluid from the bowel.
Which acid base disorder would be most likely to occur in a patient with bulimia?
Self-induced vomiting is a common feature of the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Because these individuals are losing HCl from stomach secretions, it is not uncommon for them to develop a metabolic alkalosis.
What is the most significant feature of bulimia?
Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting. Feeling a loss of control during bingeing — like you can’t stop eating or can’t control what you eat. Forcing yourself to vomit or exercising too much to keep from gaining weight after bingeing.
How does bulimia cause electrolyte imbalance?
Purging behaviors like vomiting and abusing laxatives reduce electrolytes and fluids in your body. Your tissues respond by holding onto every drop of liquid they can access, which can look like swelling to you. [6] This is a known and severe complication of bulimia. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance.
What happens to pH when vomiting?
As vomiting expels the content of the stomach, the pH of the vomitus is almost always highly acidic. The acid creates a burning sensation in the back of the throat or and roof of the mouth or nose if the vomit has passed through the nose.
How does vomiting lead to acidosis?
Vomiting causes changes in acid base balance due to loss of chloride ions from the stomach, which can lead to an increase of HCO3 in the extracellular fluid.
How does vomiting affect the pH of the body?
Expelling the gastric acid contents causes the loss of chloride and hydrogen ions which can lead to hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, where there are high levels of bicarbonate and carbon dioxide but low levels of chloride, leading to an increased blood pH.
What labs are abnormal with bulimia?
Endocrine studies in patients with bulimia nervosa may exhibit the following abnormal findings: Decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leuteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol levels. Prolactin levels: Studies have documented both increased and decreased basal serum prolactin in association with bulimia nervosa.
What labs should be checked for bulimia?
- Comprehensive blood chemistry panel: This is important in detecting possible occult metabolic complications of bulimia.
- Complete blood cell count: This is used to exclude anemia or other occult hematologic abnormalities.
- Urinalysis: Urine specific gravity may reflect the state of hydration.
How does bulimia affect potassium?
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 are the signs of acidosis or alkalosis?
- Confusion (can progress to stupor or coma)
- Hand tremor.
- Lightheadedness.
- Muscle twitching.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Numbness or tingling in the face, hands, or feet.
- Prolonged muscle spasms (tetany)
Why does hypokalemia occur in bulimia?
Rates of renal potassium secretion are further increased in the presence of an elevated aldosterone level secondary to volume contraction, causing worsening hypokalemia.
What is acidosis and alkalosis?
Acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids. It is the opposite of alkalosis (a condition in which there is too much base in the body fluids).
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 are three essential diagnostic features of bulimia?
The diagnostic criteria for bulimia in the DSM are: 1) recurrent episodes of binge eatingbinge eatingBinge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder characterized by frequent and recurrent binge eating episodes with associated negative psychological and social problems, but without the compensatory behaviors common to bulimia nervosa, OSFED, or the binge-purge subtype of anorexia nervosa.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Binge_eating_disorderBinge eating disorder – Wikipedia with a sense of lack of control occurring at least twice per week for at least three months, 2) recurrent, inappropriate compensatory behavior, such as vomiting, in order to prevent weight gain 3) and self-evaluation that is …
What are 3 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.
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.
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.
What ions are lost in vomiting?
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.
Why does the metabolic alkalosis occurs after vomiting?
In metabolic alkalosis there is excess of bicarbonate in the body fluids. It can occur in a variety of conditions. It may be due to digestive issues, like repeated vomiting, that disrupt the blood’s acid-base balance. It can also be due to complications of conditions affecting the heart, liver and kidneys.
Why does hco3 increase in vomiting?
Hydrogen loss can occur from the gastrointestinal tract or in the urine. In the presence of vomiting and aspiration of gastric contents, the normal stimulus to the production of the bicarbonate is eliminated which in turn leads to increased levels of bicarbonate in the blood and thus the resulting metabolic alkalosis.
What causes alkalosis and acidosis?
Alcohol, aspirin and poisons, like carbon monoxide or cyanide, can all cause your body to make too much acid. Conditions like kidney disease or Type 1 diabetes can also affect how acidic your blood is. If your blood has too much base, you may develop metabolic alkalosis.
What are 4 causes of metabolic acidosis?
- Cancer.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Drinking too much alcohol.
- Exercising vigorously for a very long time.
- Liver failure.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Medicines, such as salicylates, metformin, anti-retrovirals.
- MELAS (a very rare genetic mitochondrial disorder that affects energy production)