Some dieters employ dangerous tactics to lose weight, putting their health in danger and encouraging eating disorders to continue.

Dangerous tactics for weight loss are not only used by celebrities, but everyday folks as well. Though these tactics can cause a person to drop weight quickly, they can also harm the user’s health permanently.

Do You Use Diuretics (a.k.a. Water Pills)?

Diuretics are commonly used for reducing occasional water retention in the body. Women use diet pills relieve temporary water gain which may occur during menstruation. One of the dangerous side effects of using water pills for weight loss is that you can upset your body’s electrolyte balance and can cause potassium deficiencies, which can cause heart damage. The body will also realize what you are doing and try to hold onto even more water, causing a dangerous cycle of dehydration. Abuse of this type of medication can also lead to dizzy spells and fainting.

Do You Use Diet Pills?

Fad or starvation diets and diet pills offer temporary solutions, often helping to manage one’s appetite and energy levels during a strict diet. But many of these diet pills are not without side effects: vomiting, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, diarrhea and/or constipation, headaches, dizziness, heart arrhythmias, heart attack, etc. Some diet pills contain small amounts of laxatives in them and may prove to be addictive as the body begins to rely on the laxatives in order to have regular bowel movements.

Do You Use Syrup of Ipecac?

Syrup of Ipecac is a plant extract which when swallowed induces vomiting. This medicine works by stimulating the central nervous system and the stomach to cause vomiting. This medication is only to be used in and emergent accidental poisoning, typically in small children. Under the advice of a poison control center, you would use syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting, but only if advised. When this emetic is used regularly, several side effects can be expected: diarrhea, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting for long periods of time, stomach cramps or pain, breathing troubles, unusual fatigue or weakness, and stiffness of muscles, especially muscles in the neck, arms and legs. Since you are losing weight rapidly, the body turns to muscle to provide the energy it needs, but often the body will turn to the heart muscle as well, causing permanent heart damage in many cases.