Diuretics abuse

Abuse of diuretics can lead to problems similar to those resulting from laxative abuse. These include imbalances of certain minerals in the body. Of particular concern is potassium, which is needed at certain concentrations for the heart to pump correctly. Not having enough potassium in the body can lead to an irregular heartbeat, which can result in death. Kidney damage and dehydration are other health risks associated with diuretic abuse. 

Dry, cracking skin Dehydration, loss of subcutaneous Hypokalemia Purging, diuretic abuse... 

BULIMIA An eating disorder characterized by binge eating and then excessive behavior (such as vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, or exercising excessively) to rid the body of the food and/eaten. 

In a Wesleyan University study of binge eating disorder (BED) published in 2000, researchers found that African-American women with the disorder reported laxative and diuretic abuse more frequently than white women. However, BED was considered a significant health problem in both racial groups. 

Treatment for diuretic abuse starts with addressing the roots of the physical or psychological problems. There are a number of rehabilitation programs available for the treatment of eating disorders such as bulimia,... 

The first goal of rehabilitation from any eating disorder is to stabilize both weight and self-destructive behavior such as diuretic abuse and binge eating. Patients with anorexia may be severely malnourished, and could have additional related health problems such as impaired kidney function and dehydration that need immediate medical attention. They may also require intravenous feeding. 

One complication of long-term diuretic therapy in otherwise healthy individuals is edema, and it has been suggested that surreptitious use of diuretics can explain some otherwise paradoxical cases of idiopathic edema presumably the diuretic induces a persistent increase in plasma renin activity and secondary hyperaldosteronism, and attempts to stop the diuretic intake can at first actually aggravate the condition (127). However, three studies have furnished strong evidence that diuretic abuse is not an important cause of idiopathic edema (128-130). 

De Wardener HE. Idiopathic edema role of diuretic abuse. Kidney Int 1981 19(6) 881-91. 

Marty H. Pseudo-Bartter Syndrom bei Diuretika-Abusus. [Pseudo-Bartter syndrome in diuretics abuse.] Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1985 115(7) 250-2. 

Figure 3. Sequential renal biopsies, separated by 10 years, in a patient with hypokalemia related to chronic diuretic abuse. Initial biopsy (on the left) shows proximal tubular cell vacuolization and mild interstitial inflammation. The subsequen t examination (on the right) demonstrates marked interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy and dropout.

The most common cause of hyponatremia in hospital patients is SIADH. However, other disorders can cause dilutional hyponatremia and must be differentiated from SIADH. These conditions include (1) congestive heart failure, (2) renal insufficiency, (3) nephrotic syndrome, (4) liver cirrhosis, and (5) hypothyroidism. Excessive administration of hypotonic fluids and treatment with drugs that stimulate AVP (e.g., chlorpropamide, vincristine, clofibrate, carbamazepine, nicotine, phenothiazines, and cyclophosphamide) can cause dilutional hyponatremia as well. Hyponatremia may also occur from renal or extrarenal sodium losses (depietional hyponatremia) as a result of vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, diuretic abuse, saltlosing nephropathy, or mineralocorticoid deficiency. 

Laxative abuse Diuretic abuse Impulse dyscontrol Gastric rupture Parotitis Dehtal erosion Kleptomania Self-mutilation Suicide attempts Socially outgoing... 

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