title: [Paralysis, organic brain syndrome, and cardiac dysrhythmias caused by chronic laxative abuse (author's transl)].
abstract: A 39-year-old woman developed generalised paralysis, reversible organic brain syndrome, and cardiac dysrhythmias after 15 years of laxative abuse. Under continuous and cautious administration of potassium the cardiac rhythm became normal within four days and two days later the paralysis and organic brain syndrome almost disappeared. The cause of the psychiatric symptoms is thought to be cerebral potassium deficiency and an abnormal sodium/potassium equilibrium. Other clinical signs and symptoms due to extreme potassium depletion are presented. The importance of Na+/K+-activated membrane ATP-ase in myocardium and CNS is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002462:Cell Membrane; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium
vernacular_title: Lähmungen, organisches Psychosyndrom und Herzrhythmusstörungen bei extremer Kaliumverarmung durch chronischen Laxantienabusus.