What are 3 complications of bulimia?

Possible complications include:
  • Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning.
  • Dehydration, which can lead to major medical problems, such as kidney failure.
  • Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure.
  • Severe tooth decay and gum disease.


What are 3 side effects of bulimia?

7. Bulimia can have serious health consequences.
  • anemia.
  • low blood pressure and irregular heart rate.
  • dry skin.
  • ulcers.
  • decreased electrolyte levels and dehydration.
  • esophageal ruptures from excessive vomiting.
  • gastrointestinal problems.
  • irregular periods.


What is the most serious consequence of bulimia?

The health consequences of bulimia are most often related to purging behaviors.
  • Dehydration.
  • Electrolyte imbalances.
  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Heart failure.
  • Tooth decay.
  • Acid reflux.
  • Inflammation and rupture of esophagus.
  • Intestinal distress and irritation.


What are 5 negative effects of bulimia?

Bulimia can permanently damage your stomach and intestines, causing other problems like constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Hormonal problems. Reproductive issues, including irregular periods, missed periods, and fertility problems are common side effects when you have bulimia.

Which complication of bulimia nervosa is life threatening?

Damage to the gastrointestinal system can start with erosion of the esophagus caused by vomiting. Over time, this damage can weaken and potentially rupture the esophagus, which is a life-threatening condition.


Medical Complications of Eating Disorders



What are the final stages of bulimia?

The final stage involves dealing with the emotional issues that caused the onset of Bulimia, such as underlying psychological disorders (E.g. depression, anxiety), low self-esteem and detrimental relationships.

What bulimia can do to your body?

Over time, bulimia can affect your body in the following ways: Stomach damage from overeating. Electrolyte imbalance (having levels of sodium, potassium, or other minerals that are too high or too low, which can lead to heart attack or heart failure) Ulcers and other damage to your throat from vomiting.

Can bulimia cause sudden death?

In women diagnosed with severe bulimia and hypokalemia, QT interval prolongation and repolarization abnormalities may lead to sudden acute ventricular arrhythmias and death.


Can bulimia cause permanent damage?

Over time, bulimia can cause a person to experience very serious symptoms, such as severe dehydration, organ damage, stroke, and heart attack. Some of these symptoms can be life-threatening or cause permanent damage to the body.

How long can bulimics live?

For many, bulimia is a life-long condition. Some people with bulimia are able to develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise after the first treatment. Others may have a relapse and need treatment again.

What does severe bulimia look like?

Recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating unusually large quantities of food in a short period of time with feelings of loss of control) followed by inappropriate weight compensatory behaviors (including self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic misuse, and excessive exercise) at least once-weekly during the past ...


What are 2 warning signs of bulimia?

Bulimia signs and symptoms may include:
  • Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight.
  • Living in fear of gaining weight.
  • Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting.
  • Feeling a loss of control during bingeing — like you can't stop eating or can't control what you eat.


What mental illness is associated with bulimia?

bulimia nervosa experience one or more anxiety disorders,” most commonly, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social phobia, and specific phobia [1]. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur up to three times more frequently in individuals with bulimia than those with anorexia [1].

What are 2 health consequences of bulimia?

Ulcers or pancreatitis. Acid reflux. “Bulimia teeth” (tooth decay and staining caused by frequent vomiting) Irregular digestion (IBS, diarrhea, constipation)


What does bulimia do to your stomach?

Many people with bulimia experience digestive problems, including acid reflux and stomach pain. The sphincter controlling the esophagus may become weaker, allowing acid to back up into the esophagus and causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Other possible digestive issues include diarrhea, bloating, and constipation.

What happens if you throw up everyday?

Excessive vomiting causes the body to lose water quickly. Severe cases of dehydration may need to be treated in the hospital. Injury to the food tube. The stomach acid that comes up with the vomit can damage the tube that connects the mouth and stomach (esophagus).

What triggers bulimia relapse?

What Causes a Relapse? While excessive calorie counting or body image issues can certainly trigger a relapse, eating disorders expert Lauren Muhlheim, Psy. D. says she most often sees patients relapse after a major life-changing event, such as going to college or ending a relationship.


What is bulimia jaw?

Bulimia jaw is a term for a number of symptoms that can result from the purging aspect of bulimia nervosa (BN). It can refer to swelling, intense pain, and a misalignment of the jaw, and sometimes require surgery to correct. Further Reading. Bulimia Jaw: Pain and Swelling.

How often is bulimia fatal?

Mortality of Eating Disorders

Another study of 246 women diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia and reported 11 (4.5%) died from their illness over time. [2] Of these women, 10 had intake diagnoses of anorexia and 1 had bulimia. This study reinforces the aforementioned one, finding anorexia more lethal than bulimia.

What happens if you leave bulimia untreated?

If left untreated, bulimia can result in long-term health problems such as abnormal heart rhythms, bleeding from the esophagus due to excessive reflux of stomach acid, dental problems, and kidney problems.


What are the two types of bulimia?

Specifically, there are two types of bulimia:
  • Purging Type – When the binge episode is followed by self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives or diuretics. This is the most common form of bulimia.
  • Non-Purging Type – When the binge episode is followed by excessive exercise or fasting.


What are 5 warning signs of bulimia?

What are the Warning Signs of Bulimia?
  • Episodes of binge eating.
  • Self-induced vomiting.
  • Smelling like vomit.
  • Misuse of laxatives and diuretics.
  • Complaining about body image.
  • Expressing guilt or shame about eating.
  • Depression.
  • Irritability.


How long does your body take to recover from bulimia?

Depending on several factors, it may take several months or even a few years to find recovery from bulimia. The repetitive and harmful behaviors associated with bulimia must be replaced with healthier coping mechanisms, which takes time and dedication to a new way of thinking and reacting to stressful situations.


Does bulimia change your personality?

Bulimia nervosa is similar to anorexia nervosa in that it is also characterized by harm avoidance. Individuals with bulimia nervosa are more likely to exhibit shyness, pessimistic thinking, excessive worry and doubt and are easily fatigued.

Is bulimia damage reversible?

Eating disorders damage nearly every system in the body, but people living with even the most extreme forms of anorexia or bulimia can recover with treatment.