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I have a friend with iron deficiency anemia that also has pica (eating of non food substances) and she eats baking soda, goes through a one pound box in about 1 month 1/2 and she asked me if this was safe. I said no what do you guys think

from medline...

interesting...there was quite a bit of info on ingestion of bicarb.

1: Am J Emerg Med. 1994 Jan;12(1):57-9. Related Articles, Links

Acute toxicity from baking soda ingestion.

Thomas SH, Stone CK.

Department of Emergency Medicine, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858-4354.

Sodium bicarbonate is an extremely well-known agent that historically has been used for a variety of medical conditions. Despite the widespread use of oral bicarbonate, little documented toxicity has occurred, and the emergency medicine literature contains no reports of toxicity caused by the ingestion of baking soda. Risks of acute and chronic oral bicarbonate ingestion include metabolic alkalosis, hypernatremia, hypertension, gastric rupture, hyporeninemia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, intravascular volume depletion, and urinary alkalinization. Abrupt cessation of chronic excessive bicarbonate ingestion may result in hyperkalemia, hypoaldosteronism, volume contraction, and disruption of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The case of a patient with three hospital admissions in 4 months, all the result of excessive oral intake of bicarbonate for symptomatic relief of dyspepsia is reported. Evaluation and treatment of patients with acute bicarbonate ingestion is discussed.

I know you can use baking soda for indigestion, but my friend does not have this she just like the taste of this can this cause kidney or any other problems?????

I think it would stand to reason that it would affect kidney in that it affects acid-base balance. To what degreee i don't know. I will ask a friend of mine who is a nephrologist next week and see what he says.

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP WITH THE QUESTION I ASKED ABOVE????

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

"CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP WITH THE QUESTION I ASKED ABOVE????"

Your question was already answered, and the answer, once again, is NO IT IS NOT SAFE OR WISE.

(and shouting is rude, besides)

It is abnormal to eat baking soda and can cause metabolic alkalosis which can affect all the bodies balance. She needs to stop or get professional help0 in order to stop. How's that?

Originally posted by sjoe

"CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP WITH THE QUESTION I ASKED ABOVE????"

Your question was already answered, and the answer, once again, is NO IT IS NOT SAFE OR WISE.

(and shouting is rude, besides)

what sjoe said only i would now add that we have done our best to give you some information....what didn't you understand from the replys?? Perhaps is it time that you do some background work yourself or perhaps have your friend ask her family provider.

_____mcg02

I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A HABIT OF EATING BAKING SODA. SHE EATS ABOUT 1-2 TABLESPOONS A DAY AND I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A SAFE HABIT FOR HER, AND SINCE I AM JUST A NURSING STUDENT. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED.

Last edited by mcg02 on 07-05-2001 at 04:09 PM

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06-06-2001 01:28 AM

NRSKarenRN

Eating Baking soda, laundry starch, excessive ice etc along with other unusual items is caled PICA. It is often an indication of anemia in women, and can be detected by a simple blood test. Ask your friend to discuss this with her health care provider as too much baking soda can cause metabolic problems with the kidneys. It is c nothing to be ashamed of and common across all cultures.

_________________

"

06-05-2001 02:46 PM

____________

mcg...i think your question was answered 2 and 1/2 years ago. As well, i think that you need to seek out medical support for this condition or else you need to stop ingesting this substance as it seems that it has plaqued you for a number of years . I think on the long term it isn't a good idea.

Clearly she is not a nurse.

Clearly she does not understand the answers she received as they were too technical for her.

The difinitive answer is NO it is not SAFE.

Now please understand we are not here to respond to your demands and childish shouting.

Those who post on this board are not your subjects. We post here only by voluntary choice. Temper tantrums are out of line.

I have yet to say this on this board. However, I will this time. An apology is in line.

You need to learn some netique.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I further state your friend NEEDS a doctor's attention ASAP...she is likely in such a state of horrible fluid/electrolyte imbalance, it's dangerous. She needs a good internist (specialized doctor) for her PROBLEM YESTERDAY! I wish her the best.

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