Purgatives and periodic paralysis.
A married woman, aged 42, had suffered attacks of muscular weakness. She was found to have profound hypokalaemia. This was due to chronic purgative abuse. There was a prompt response to treatment. The case raises issues of theoretical and practical importance.
D000328:Adult; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D002400:Cathartics