Bulimia: Misuse of LaxativesCurrent as of: May 3, 2017 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & W. Stewart Agras, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry |
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Bulimia: Misuse of LaxativesTopic OverviewPeople who have bulimia nervosa may misuse laxatives to get rid of food eaten during a binge eating episode. Laxatives speed up the passage of stool through the body by irritating the lining of the intestines. Laxatives do not reduce the number of calories the body absorbs from food. But laxatives may cause a person to lose weight because they increase the amount of water eliminated through the intestines. Misusing laxatives can cause a person to lose too much water and certain body chemicals, such as potassium and sodium, that are needed for keeping the muscles and heart healthy. Symptoms of laxative misuse include:
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ByHealthwise Staff Current as ofMay 3, 2017
Current as of: May 3, 2017 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & W. Stewart Agras, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry |
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