title: Complications of hazardous weight-loss methods.
abstract: Individuals who are overly conscious of their weight and those with eating disorders may induce vomiting and abuse laxatives and diuretics in order to lose weight. Self-induced vomiting may result in dental erosion, parotid and submandibular gland enlargement, oral and perioral trauma, pharyngeal and esophageal inflammation, aspiration and esophageal-gastric tears. Laxative abuse leads to digestive system complications such as cathartic colon and melanosis coli. All three purging methods lead to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D003681:Dehydration / Q000139:chemically induced; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007486:Ipecac / Q000009:adverse effects; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004232:Diuretics; D007486:Ipecac