Diet Pills
Diet pills, both over
the counter and prescription can cause many uncomfortable side effects (especially when not following recommended dosages):
headaches, dry mouth, vomiting and diarrhea or constipation, intestinal disturbances, tightness in chest, tingling in extremities,
nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, high blood pressure, fatigue, hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias and palpitations, congestive
heart failure or heart attack, strokes, excessive perspiration, dizziness, disruption in menstrual cycle, changes in sex
drive, hair loss, blurred vision, fever and urinary tract infections.
Ephedra which is contain in some products
for weight loss is very addictive. Unfortunately some of these products are sold freely over the counter to unsuspecting
individuals seeking assistance in weight loss. The addictiveness of this product is deceiving but can be both physical and
psychological. Side effects include headaches, mood swings, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and arrhythmias including
heart attack. Combining these chemicals to psychotropic medications can intensify the side effects increasing potential
serious complications. Additionally the withdrawal from these chemicals can be very difficult psychologically as well as
physically. Avoid Them.
Laxatives
Laxatives were developed to help an individual who
may be experiencing a temporary disturbance to the digestive process called constipation. Eating disorder clients have a
tendency to abuse these products under the illusion that they will flush the body of fat and unwanted calories from the
food they have eaten. This is a fallacy since the absorption of calories occurs in the small intestines very soon after eating.
Unfortunately, the body builds up a tolerance to continual use or overuse of laxatives requiring the individual to take
more and more to attain the same results. And the results are not at all what the consumer imagines. What laxatives do to
someone who over uses or abuses them is cause the body to lose fluid potentially upsetting the electrolyte system and is
followed with periods of water retention and bloating which is exactly what the individual does not want to occur. They
are searching for a "clean and empty feeling". Some clients take enormous quantities of laxatives. If abuse is
severe enough the individual may never be able to have bowel movements without the aid of chemicals and their intestines
can become similar to that of people in their 80's or 90's. Laxatives Are Certainly Not Safe Nor Effective Weight Loss Products.
Ipecac Syrup
Ipecac syrup is found in poison control kits sold to parents for the possibility
that a child might ingest a poisonous substance.
Eating disorder clients may abuse this product as a means of
helping them to purge. Ipecac can cause immediate death when being used for any other purpose other than its design. Again
like in the case of laxatives the body may require more and more of this product to produce the desired effect. It never
completely flushes out of the body and is left in the organs. Some clients have taken numerous bottles of this product at
one time. If the individual is unable to vomit she/he should be taken immediately to the nearest Emergency Room. The toxicity
of this product causes weakness, tenderness, stiffness of muscles, cardiac disease and heart failure, coma, seizures, shock,
increase in blood pressure, with possible hemorrhage, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia and death.
After much
work with state legislatures Pharmacists are now required to keep the bottles of Ipecac in the pharmacy area where purchase
of this product can be monitored in some states.
Diuretics
Eating disorder clients
utilize diuretics as an attempt to control weight. This is very misguided behavior. Diuretics reduce water retention and
only decrease the amount of water in the body. They do nothing with regard to weight loss. Again clients tend to overuse
and abuse these products as well setting themselves up for dehydration, electrolyte imbalances particularly effect Potassium
resulting in deficiencies which may send them to the hospital.
