Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses.
In binging and purging eating disorders such as Bulimia, an electrolyte imbalance may result from both excessive vomiting and use of saline or sodium phosphate enemas. When persons vomit regularly, as in Bulimia, stomach acid containing hydrogen ions and chloride ions are lost.
What Causes Low Potassium. Digestive issues are a big cause of low potassium and magnesium levels. There are two ways that digestive issues can cause electrolyte imbalances. Digestive Losses. The first way is through losses such as diarrhea and vomiting where the potassium is lost in the body fluid losses.