Think you or a loved one may have bulimia? Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of bingeing eating a large amount of food in a short period of time followed by purging self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, exercising, fasting, etc. Though the physical consequences of bulimia may not be as visibly obvious as in other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. If treated in a timely manner, many of the short-term consequences of bulimia will diminish or completely disappear once the individual gets medical help and recovers from bulimia.
Unfortunately, if bulimia is left untreated for too long, the short-term consequences listed above can lead to serious, long-term health problems that may not easily clear up or go away once the person stops bingeing and purging. As bulimia progresses, the effects of bingeing and purging start to cause more severe and permanent damage to the body. Another long-term effect of bulimia is esophageal issues. Purge vomiting can cause the esophagus to tear and become weak, which can then lead to a host of problems, including chronic acid reflux.
This can then lead to the development of esophageal cancer. I am a:. X Thank you. Your information has been submitted. The information you submit on this form will be used internally for the purposes of processing and responding to your request. It may be routed internally in order to find the most appropriate member of staff to handle your request and your contact information will only be used to respond to your inquiry if you indicate permission to do so.
Pay Online. What To Expect. According to the DSM-5, the following criteria must be met for an individual to be diagnosed with bulimia please note that if all of the following are not met, an individual may still have a serious eating disorder that requires treatment : Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following: Eating, within a two- hour window, an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.
Lack of control over eating during the episode e. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.
The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
Binging or purging does not occur exclusively during episodes of behavior that would be common in those with anorexia nervosa. Dental Effects Dentists are often the first people to notice signs of bulimia. Dermatological Effects With consistent bingeing and purging, individuals with bulimia experience severe nutritional deprivation and they may start to experience starvation.
Skeletal System Effects When a person purges they are losing essential nutrients and, notably, calcium. Cardiovascular Effects Most purging behaviors result in dehydration. Treatment Options For those experiencing bulimia, or any eating disorder, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. When vomiting, the lower esophageal sphincter, which acts as a doorway between the esophagus and stomach, must open to allow stomach contents to move back up through the esophagus.
Over time, the sphincter gets weak and stomach acid starts to repeatedly splash up into the esophagus. These physical side effects of bulimia cause an uncomfortable burning or chest pain sensation. In addition, acid reflux is very damaging to the lining of the esophagus and can lead to bleeding and scarring.
Acidic stomach contents are damaging to the throat and the vocal cords, therefore hoarse voice and sore throat become common when someone has been repeatedly vomiting. All forms of purging are likely to lead to dehydration. A large portion of perceived weight loss due to purging behaviors is actually from water losses in the body. If dehydration becomes severe enough, the patient is at risk for falls, loss of consciousness, confusion, or damage to the kidneys that can be permanent.
The side effects of low electrolytes can be extremely dangerous, with initial weakness progressing to cardiac arrest and death in the most severe cases. More physical side effects of bulimia include intestinal problems. Purging with laxatives has may lead to a physical dependence on the medications and therefore constipation when the laxatives are stopped.
Constipation resolves over time but can make it especially difficult for patients to stop abusing laxative medication. Both men and women discover their infertility when they begin to try to have children. Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health , bulimia can cause abnormal levels of serotonin and tryptophan in the body, which can cause "a disruption in both the acute and longer-term mechanisms controlling hunger and satiety.
Due to sustained levels of malnutrition, people recovering from bulimia may suffer from low bone density later in their lives and that can lead to fragile and broken bones as they grow older. They are particularly susceptible to this issue because bulimia often develops around puberty within the teen years when the body and skeletal system are still developing.
Finally, according to the National Eating Disorder Association , "over time, binge eating can potentially increase the chances that a person's body will become resistant to insulin, a hormone that lets the body get energy from carbohydrates, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
Both bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa have serious long-term mental and emotional effects. Mentally, long-term malnutrition can alter the chemical balance of the brain, leading to mental health issues like clinical depression and anxiety. This risk is made more serious because, as mentioned, bulimia often arises during the teen years while the body and brain are still developing.
In addition to mental health issues, emotional health can also be compromised long-term because eating disorders like bulimia can damage relationships and self-esteem. When damaged emotional health meets mental health problems like depression and anxiety, it often creates long-term issues like a history of self-harm, substance abuse, impulsiveness, and suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
If you or someone you know is suffering from these effects, it's important to note that you are not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health , "mood and anxiety symptoms are very common. These symptoms, low self-esteem and body image disturbance, can all have a negative effect on social relationships, which in turn may be damaged by a lifestyle that may be chaotic and characterized by impulsivity.
There are many negative long-term side effects of bulimia, which can range from irritating to life-threatening. Some of the mental and physical effects of bulimia can last long past the time when the individual with bulimia has technically recovered, negatively impacting their quality of life. The best way to deal with the long-term side effects of bulimia is to get professional treatment as soon as possible.
The sooner treatment begins, the more likely you are to minimize the long-term damage. Since the person suffering from it often tries to hide their condition for as long as possible, the first step is to recognize that the problem exists. Some of the warning signs of bulimia include noticeable weight fluctuations, binge eating, or signs of binge eating like empty wrappers and food containers, disappearing after meals, excessive exercising, and obsession with food.
You can find more warning signs for bulimia at the National Eating Disorders Association warning signs page. Bulimia nervosa is a disease, and it is extremely challenging for a person with bulimia to recover without professional help. Depending on the severity of the disease, the individual will often strenuously resist changing their behavior or even acknowledging that there is a problem.
In the face of bulimia, family members and friends can feel helpless and unsure of what to do.
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