How does vomiting cause metabolic acidosis?


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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. Our patient had her first episode of CVS when she was 3 years old and each episode of CVS is associated with metabolic acidosis.

Can bulimia cause metabolic acidosis?

Laxative abusers can develop severe constipation on withdrawal of laxatives, related to damage to the myenteric plexus. The typical electrolyte abnormalities associated with bulimia are hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Can 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. These tests include: Blood test.

What is the most significant feature of bulimia?

It is characterized by uncontrolled episodes of overeating, called bingeing. This is followed by purging with methods such as vomiting or misuse of laxatives. Bingeing is eating much larger amounts of food than you would normally eat in a short period of time, usually less than 2 hours.

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.

Can anorexia cause metabolic acidosis?

The onset of a metabolic acidosis in a patient with anorexia nervosa remains very rare, but also exceptionally severe and unknown to physicians. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of starvation-induced metabolic acidosis in a non-diabetic adolescent with anorexia nervosa.

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.

Is vomiting metabolic acidosis or alkalosis?

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.

What causes metabolic acidosis?

Metabolic acidosis is caused by a build-up of too many acids in the blood. This happens when your kidneys are unable to remove enough acid from your blood.

Why is anorexia harder than bulimia?

While more common than anorexia, bulimia nervosa may be more difficult for primary care physicians, school officials, parents and other loved ones to detect because patients are often of normal weight and may not disclose their abnormal eating behaviors.

Which classic characteristic is common among patients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa?

People with bulimia may secretly binge โ€” eating large amounts of food with a loss of control over the eating โ€” and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way.

Can bloodwork tell if you have an eating disorder?

Although there is no one laboratory test to screen for eating disorders, a healthcare provider can use a variety of physical and psychological evaluations as well as lab tests to determine a diagnosis.

Can bulimia cause low white blood count?

Health Consequences of Bulimia It can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances which can lead to severe medical consequences such as: Damage to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Increased risk of illness due to decreased white blood cell count.

What is the refeeding syndrome?

Refeeding syndrome can be defined as the potentially fatal shifts in fluids and electrolytes that may occur in malnourished patients receiving artificial refeeding (whether enterally or parenterally5). These shifts result from hormonal and metabolic changes and may cause serious clinical complications.

What is bulimia face?

When a person has been engaging in self-induced vomiting regularly and they suddenly stop engaging in the behaviour, their salivary glands in front of their ears (cheeks) may begin to swell. This makes their cheeks look swollen.

Which eating disorder is most associated with electrolyte imbalance?

In anorexia nervosa, under-nutrition and weight regulatory behaviours such as vomiting and laxative abuse can lead to a range of biochemical problems. Hypokalaemia is the most common electrolyte abnormality.

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.

How long does it take for your body to recover from bulimia?

Depending on several factors, it may take several months or even a few years to find recovery from bulimia. The repetitive and harmful behaviors associated with bulimia must be replaced with healthier coping mechanisms, which takes time and dedication to a new way of thinking and reacting to stressful situations.

Is bulimia a mental disease?

Bulimia nervosa (commonly known as bulimia) is an eating disorder and serious mental health problem. Someone with bulimia might feel parts of their lives are out of control and use purging to give them a sense of control. Bulimia is a serious condition that can cause long-term damage, but help is available.

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