I am a recovering bulimic who vomited heavily and frequently with a
large amount of fluid expulsion. Add to that that the salt
concentration in my binge foods was very high, and I find I have a
case of mild chronic hypernatremia. I have not had diarrhea, abused
laxatives or diuretics, nor have I been exercising strenuously. The
symptoms I have are moderate full-body fluid retention, loss of
elasticity (doughy feel) to my skin, lethargy, fatigue and
irritability. If I have a big glass of water, I immediately feel
sicker, the swelling and irritability greatly increase and I get
breathless. I am urinating infrequently and in small quantities, but
it is not dark or concentrated. I have read that you treat this
imbalance through fluid restriction, but I have also read that I
should be drinking electrolyte replacement fluids. My case is not
severe, and I have no health insurance so I can't see a doctor-- what
can I do at home? Do I restrict fluids? If I should drink, how much
should I have in a day and in what sort of increments? Water or
pedialyte? Should I eat or not? Please instruct me on what to do while
resting at home to stabilize asap. |
Request for Question Clarification by
crabcakes-ga
on
30 May 2006 07:42 PDT
Hello Fayevalentine,
I'd like to answer your question, but I need to know a few things;
- How do you KNOW you are hypernatremic? Did you have a blood test
for electrolytes? If one has too much sodium in the blood, restricting
fluids is not the way to lower it, nor is drinking sodium filled
drinks.
- Are you on any medications or supplements?
- Are you eating a healthy diet?
- Are you drinking other fluids, such as sodas or juices?
- How old are you and are you female?
- If female, are you on birth control pills?
- Are you often thirsty?
- Is there diabetes in your family?
- Do you have asthma or known heart or kidney disease?
= Have you had wounds or cuts that take a long time to heal?
Please answer these questions, and I will respond as soon as possible.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
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