Eating disorders diuretics

Because diuretics cause an overall water weight loss, they are often abused by individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. They may also be misused (and sometimes abused) by athletes to make weight for certain classes of competition (i.e., wrestling). 

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. 

Statistics on the misuse of diuretic drugs are more difficult to determine. Estimates vary as to the number of people currently suffering from eating disorders, and not all individuals with an eating disorder abuse diuretics. In addition, the sense of shame and emotional turmoil associated with the disease make the unreported incidence of eating disorders high. Federal and institutional estimates put the number at approximately 5-8 million Americans. 

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. 

Competitive athletes who misuse diuretics, either due to an eating disorder or for performance-enhancing purposes, may be suspended or banned from competition. In addition, if diuretic use becomes chronic and spirals into other eating disordered behaviors, athletic performance will ultimately suffer, and the athlete may face added pressures from coaching staff and teammates. 

Diuretics are used to treat oedema in heart failure, liver cirrhosis, hypertension and certain kidney diseases. Some diuretics, such as acetazolamide, make the urine more alkaline and are helpful in increasing excretion of substances such as aspirin in cases of overdose. Diuretics are often abused by sufferers of eating disorders (e.g. bulimia) in an attempt at weight loss. 

The abuse of appetite suppressants is widespread, but concrete numerical data are difficult to obtain as most abusers do not attract attention clinically. The eating disorders leading to this abuse also show themselves in the consumption of laxatives and diuretics. Some patients combine appetite suppressants such as norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine or amfepramon with benzodiazepines. The sympathomimetic effect of these substances can compensate in these cases for the morning hangover effects of the tranquilizers. 

---