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.
Table of Contents
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.
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.
Which acid base disorder would be most likely to occur in a patient with bulimia?
The most common acid-base abnormality found in bulimia nervosa is a metabolic alkalosis (bicarbonate >28 mEq/L).
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.
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.
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.
What does bulimia do to electrolytes?
Vomiting & Electrolytes Various side effects come along with purging behaviors. Each time you vomit, you lose fluid as well as food. You also lose the salts and electrolytes in your meals through your vomiting episodes. Both can lead to electrolyte imbalances.
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.
Can severe vomiting cause metabolic acidosis?
Severe diarrhea or vomiting can lead to hyperchloremic acidosis. This causes low levels of base called bicarbonate, which help to balance acids in the blood. Poor kidney function. Kidney disease and kidney failure can lead to renal tubular acidosis.
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).
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.
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.
What tests are done for bulimia?
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.
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 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.
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.
Does purging lower metabolism?
It was hypothesized that severe levels of bulimia, characterized by purging through self-induced vomiting as well as restrictive eating patterns, would be associated with a decrease in the rate of energy utilization and thus a lower resting metabolic rate.
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.
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 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.
Why is potassium low in bulimia?
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. Second, chronic purging results in intravascular fluid depletion.
What are the signs and symptoms of electrolyte imbalance?
- Confusion and irritability.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Fatigue.
- Headaches.
- Irregular or fast heart rate (arrhythmia).
- Muscle cramps, muscle spasms or weakness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Numbness or tingling in limbs, fingers and toes.
When is bulimia considered severe?
Severe bulimia nervosa (BN) is defined as 8–13 binge/purge episodes per week), and extreme bulimia nervosa involves 14 or more binge/purge episodes per week. Unhealthy preoccupation with weight loss, body weight and shape; significant body image distortions.