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Causes and effects of bulimia


The Effects of Bulimia on Your Body

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that’s described as a destructive pattern of eating and purging to control weight. Two of the most prominent behaviors of bulimia are bingeing (eating a lot of food) and purging (self-induced vomiting), but bulimia encompasses so much more than that. It can also take a tremendous emotional toll and lead to severe, life-threatening conditions.

When you think of bulimia, you’re most likely to think of bingeing and purging. However, these aren’t the only symptoms of the disorder. Bulimia can present itself through the following symptoms:

In addition to mental stress, continuous bingeing and purging puts great strain on the body. Unlike anorexia, another type of eating disorder, bulimia doesn’t necessarily have symptoms of significant weight loss. But the effects are still very real.

While characterized as an eating disorder, bulimia is also a mental health disorder that causes a cycle of health concerns. You may experience depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Moodiness and irritability may occur due to lack of vitamins or behaviors that come along with bulimia. For example, constant monitoring of food and weight can become an obsession. Someone may also binge in secret and then hide evidence of food and laxatives. In order to achieve their ideal weight, people may also engage in substance abuse.

Compulsive exercising or preoccupation with appearance are also common symptoms. It’s not unusual for someone with bulimia to spend a lot of time thinking about food and how to control it. In fact, people with bulimia may become quite focused on eating to the exclusion of other activities that they used to enjoy.

Having to keep secrets contributes to the cycle of stress and anxiety. Over time, guilt can build up from keeping secrets from your friends and loved ones. This may also be accompanied by feelings of embarrassment and shame. Suicidal behavior may form as a culmination of the stress and extreme unhealthy body image.

The cycle of bingeing and purging eventually takes a toll on your digestive system. Not only is it physically demanding, but the effects of bulimia can bring on general weakness and fatigue.

A sore throat, stomach pain, or both may be the first obvious physical side effects of bulimia. As the disorder progresses, chronic self-induced vomiting can cause a variety of symptoms in the digestive tract, beginning at the mouth. Over time, the high acid content of vomit can damage teeth and cause enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and gum disease. Puffy cheeks or jaws may be noticed secondary to swollen salivary glands.

Acid can also:

  • irritate or tear your esophagus
  • rupture your esophagus and cause blood in vomit
  • irritate your stomach
  • cause stomachaches, heartburn, and acid reflux
  • damage the intestines and cause bloating, diarrhea, or constipation

Putting a finger down your own throat is one of the most common ways people with bulimia induce vomiting. Doing this over and over can cause callouses on the back of your hand (in the knuckle area) because of your knuckles coming in contact with your incisors. This phenomenon is known as Russell’s sign. The acidity scars the skin on your fingers and hands.

Another way that some people try to rid the body of excessive calories from food is to use diuretics, diet pills, or laxatives. Overuse of these products can make it difficult to have a bowel movement without using them. Misdirected use of diuretics may also damage the kidneys. Over-strained bowel movements can also result in hemorrhoids.

Frequent purging can cause dehydration. This leads to weak muscles and extreme fatigue. It can also throw your electrolytes out of balance and put strain on your heart. This can cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and in some severe cases, a weakened heart muscle and heart failure. The electrolytes that tend to go missing from constant vomiting are potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

Bulimia can cause low blood pressure, a weak pulse, and anemia. Vomiting can be a violent event. The sheer force of it can even cause the blood vessels in your eyes to rupture.

The nutritional deficiencies people with bulimia experience can cause a hormonal imbalance. The fatigue can kill your sex drive. Bulimia can interfere with your menstrual cycle or stop it altogether. If the ovaries no longer release eggs, it’s impossible for the sperm to fertilize the egg.

Pregnant women who continue to engage in bingeing and purging behaviors face additional complications for themselves and their babies. These include:

  • maternal high blood pressure
  • gestational diabetes
  • miscarriage
  • premature birth
  • breech birth
  • higher risk of cesarean delivery
  • low birth weight babies
  • birth defects
  • stillbirth
  • breastfeeding difficulties
  • postpartum depression

Use of diuretics or laxatives during pregnancy may be harmful to your unborn baby.

The integumentary system includes your hair, skin, and nails. These parts of your body aren’t immune to the effects of bulimia, either. Dehydration from frequent vomiting means that your body doesn’t have enough water. In turn, your hair can become dry and frizzy. You may even experience hair loss.

Dry skin and nails are also a long-term side effect of bulimia. Your skin may become rough and scaly, while your nails turn brittle.

Physical Risks, What Happens, Exams and Tests

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

What Are the Effects of Bulimia?

Like all eating disorders, bulimia is a serious illness. It can permanently damage your body and can even be deadly.

People with bulimia will often eat large amounts of food, or binge, and then try to get rid of the calories in what is called a purge. This often involves vomiting, excessive exercising, or abuse of laxatives or diuretics. This cycle of behaviors can cause problems to all parts of your body.

Bulimia also affects your brain and is often linked to mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

But you can get help. There are many treatment options to stop the cycle of binging and purging. Just be sure to do them with the help of a doctor so that your recovery is safe.

The Physical Effects of Bulimia

The cycle of bingeing and purging takes a toll on your body. It can cause damage to everything from your heart and digestive system to your teeth and gums. It can create other problems as well, including:

  • Dehydration. Your body loses fluids when you throw up or overuse diuretics.
  • Electrolyte imbalances. When you get very dehydrated, you lose electrolytes. These are chemicals such as sodium and potassium. They help your body keep the right amount of fluid in your blood vessels and organs. An electrolyte imbalance could lead to heart problems and even death.
  • Heart problems. These can include a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heart (called palpitations) and an abnormal heart rhythm, which is called an arrhythmia.
  • Low blood pressure. Your blood pressure might drop so low that you're at risk of fainting.
  • Trouble regulating body temperature. When you don’t eat enough to fuel your body, your body temperature may drop. You might feel cold all the time.
  • Damage to your esophagus. Forceful vomiting can cause tears in the lining of your esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. If it tears, it can cause severe and life-threatening bleeding. This is known as Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Bright red blood in your vomit is a symptom of this syndrome.
  • Burst esophagus. Repeated forceful vomiting can also cause your esophagus to burst. This is called Boerhaave syndrome. It's an emergency and needs immediate surgery.
  • Acid reflux. When the lower part of your esophagus gets damaged, stomach acid can come back up through it. That causes indigestion and heartburn.
  • Other digestive problems. 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.
  • Diabetes connection. If you have type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder, you may also have a condition that has been called diabulimia. The term describes people with diabetes who need insulin but deliberately take less than they're supposed to in an effort to lose weight. This can lead to serious health problems like stroke, coma, and death.
  • Tooth decay. The stomach acid in vomit can damage tooth enamel, making your teeth sensitive to hot and cold.
  • Mouth problems. Stomach acid can also discolor your teeth and cause gum disease. Throwing up from purging creates painful sores in the corners of your mouth and soreness in the throat. And bulimia can lead to enlarged salivary glands in your mouth.
  • Ipecac-induced myopathy, or muscle weakness. While some people use their fingers to make themselves throw up, others may use ipecac syrup, which was once used to make people throw up when they had been poisoned. Drinking too much ipecac over time can cause permanent heart damage and even death.
  • "Bulimia face."Swollen salivary glands from too much throwing up can make your face and neck look puffy.
  • Hoarse voice. When you vomit often, stomach acid may irritate your vocal cords and affect your voice.
  • Russell’s sign. Regularly using your fingers to make yourself throw up can make the back of your finger joints discolored or callused. This skin condition is called Russell’s sign.
  • Hair, skin, and nail problems. When you don't get enough nutrients, your hair, nails, and skin sometimes get dry. Your hair and nails may break off easily, and your hair can thin out. Vomiting might cause small broken veins on your face, red areas around your mouth, or a purple rash.
  • Pancreatitis. This is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause pain, nausea, and vomiting. Either malnutrition or purging can cause it.
  • Difficulties during pregnancy. Bulimia raises your risk for having a miscarriage or a C-section. It also makes it more likely that your baby will be born prematurely, be small, or have a birth defect. And it increases the odds that you'll have depression after the baby is born.

The Mental and Emotional Effects of Bulimia

Aside from the physical damage bulimia does to your body, it's also linked to mental health problems. Some of the issues that you could deal with include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Low self-esteem
  • Irritability
  • Moodiness
  • Self-harm (such as cutting)
  • Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
  • Guilt, shame, or embarrassment
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions

If you’re having any thoughts of harming yourself or committing suicide, call your doctor or 911 immediately. You can also call the free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. They are there to help you.

Recovery from bulimia can take a long time. But don’t let that stop you from getting help. If you're willing to seek treatment, there are many options that you, your family, and your doctor can discuss to create a plan that will work for you. Set goals, stick to your plan, and you can be on your way to overcoming this eating disorder.

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Bulimia - causes, symptoms, consequences, treatment

Until now, there are no official statistics on bulimia in Russia, but the global mortality rate from the disease makes one think that this is necessary. So one person dies of bulimia every hour. Equally important is the age of the patients. 95% of respondents noted that the first symptoms appeared in them at the age of 12-25 years.

What is bulimia?

Many consider bulimia to be a whim and whims, many do not notice. But it is a serious disease associated with an eating disorder. It is expressed in excessive uncontrolled consumption of products, frequent overeating in a paroxysmal form. After such attacks, the patient experiences feelings of guilt, fear for his own weight, induces vomiting or takes diuretics or defecation drugs. nine0003

It is impossible to understand the definition of bulimia unambiguously. This is a whole range of problems. It manifests itself both psychologically and physically. A patient suffering from bulimia is exhausted not only by increased cravings for food, but also by constant self-digging, low self-esteem and even suicidal thoughts.

In the medical list, bulimia is listed under the code F50. This includes several types of anorexia, and other eating disorders, up to eating inedible.

Bulimia is on a par with anorexia for a reason. Often the first is a logical continuation of the second. Although sometimes it can be a syndrome of other mental illnesses.

There is a synonym for bulimia: "wolf hunger" or kinorexia. In the list, these names are fixed as included in the composition of bulimia nervosa, and are separated into one disease code.

Symptoms of bulimia

This disease, like many others, has its own characteristics. So the behavior of a person with bulimia changes as follows: nine0003

  • The person has an obsession with their own weight and nutrition.
  • Constant control of body weight, fear of eating too much or having high calories. A person is obsessed with diets, weight loss, proper nutrition and sports.
  • The patient does not like to look at himself in the mirror, or, on the contrary, always notices flaws in his body, wears baggy clothes.
  • Frequent frustration, tears, discontent.
  • After eating, immediately goes to the toilet or bathroom. nine0022

All of these signs can help loved ones recognize bulimia.

The symptoms of bulimia are key in determining the disease:

  • Uncontrolled eating.
  • No one sees food consumption yet.
  • Excessive workouts that are not canceled even with injuries and colds.
  • Inducing vomiting.
  • Taking diuretics and laxatives.
  • Growth and weight loss in a short time. nine0022

For a specialist diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, all of the following signs of bulimia must be present:

  • constant preoccupation with food and an irresistible craving for food;
  • the patient is trying to counteract the effect of obesity from the food eaten;
  • self-vomiting;
  • laxative abuse, alternate fasting periods;
  • use of appetite suppressants, thyroid drugs or diuretics; diabetics may refuse to take insulin; nine0022
  • psychopathological picture includes a painful fear of obesity, the patient sets the maximum allowable weight for himself and monitors it.

This list is fixed by law in a special list "Classification of mental disorders according to ICD-10". To establish a reliable diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, the symptoms must match all without exception.


Causes of bulimia

Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to determine exactly why such a disease appears. There are a number of possible causes of bulimia, they can be divided into two blocks: nine0003

  1. Bulimia - as a continuation of anorexia or own illness.
  2. Bulimia - as a symptom of another mental illness.

First group:

  • Impulsive personality type.
  • The predominance of low self-esteem and self-esteem.
  • High and excessive demands on oneself.
  • The desire to control one's life independently without the possibility of the influence of other people (parents, spouses, work colleagues or bosses). nine0022
  • Stressful situations and inability to cope with them.
  • Craving for idealism.

It may seem that all these reasons are exaggerated, but they provoke certain behaviors that lead to bulimia.

Second group:

  • Congenital dementia.
  • Progressive dementia.
  • Parkinsonism.
  • Severe dysphysical disorders.
  • Asymmetric brain atrophy.
  • Degeneration of the substantia nigra, Lee bodies. nine0022
  • Varadi-Pappa Syndrome.
  • Gitelman syndrome.

With all these diseases, bulimia can be both the first symptom and the subsequent one.

Often, relatives and close people of the sick are not even aware of their presence and pay attention when the symptoms are already pronounced.

The pathogenesis of bulimia or how the disease begins

Bulimia begins with a craving to eat at night. When the night hunger is so great that a person cannot sleep until he has eaten the floor of the refrigerator. On the other hand, bulimia can also begin during strict diets and starvation, when a person does not eat anything for a long time or eats very little, and then breaks down and consumes a large amount in one meal. A big problem is the fact that those suffering from bulimia do not recognize its presence either at the initial stage or when complications appear. nine0003

It must be remembered that bulimia is not just overeating. After such nightly forays or breakdowns, a person experiences a huge sense of guilt, disappointment, shame, scolds himself for eating a lot or breaking his diet, and begins to look for ways to get rid of the calories eaten:

  • Someone goes to the gym and trains to the point of exhaustion.
  • Someone is looking for medical help - diuretics and laxatives.
  • The most common variant is induction of vomiting.
    • nine0031

    With all this, weight with bulimia can be absolutely normal. Most often, patients have an ideal body mass index. This point distinguishes bulimia from anorexia, where drastic weight loss is a key symptom.

    Whatever method of disposal is chosen, the body is under stress. The most harmless consequence of a single such attack will be fatigue and a feeling of fatigue. Unfortunately, such breakdowns can occur from several times a week to several times a day. nine0003

    Disease stages

    The stages of bulimia can be divided into three parts. Each of them is an improved type of the previous one:

    • First stage. It is characterized by a lack of understanding of the patient of his problem. Often bouts of overeating occur at night or alone.
    • The second stage is the realization by the patient of the dependence on food and on emptying. This is the most acute and longest stage. During this period, uncontrolled overeating and the desire to get rid of what has been eaten reaches a peak. Health problems, depressive and suicidal tendencies also appear here. nine0022
    • The third stage is characterized by the patient's understanding that it is no longer possible to cope on their own or hide the existence of a problem. Patients most often do not come to this on their own, they are helped by relatives, friends and doctors. Unfortunately, this stage does not occur for everyone. Many patients with bulimia do not get to it.

    What happens to the body?

    After eating a huge amount of food, and at a time it can be about 6000 calories, the stomach and pancreas begin to produce a huge amount of gastric juice and enzymes for digestion. Often this process is accompanied by acute pain. Next, vomiting is caused - all gastric juice and bile enter the larynx and oral cavity. If this happens often, then the acid deposited on the teeth destroys the enamel and caries forms. The body also loses water and electrolytes, leading to dehydration, which in turn can be fatal. nine0003

    Of course, this outcome is not possible for one or two attacks of bulimia. The patient may suffer for several months or even years.

    Constant use of diuretics and laxatives is also dangerous. The work of the liver, kidneys and intestines is disrupted, which do not come to work even after a complete cure.

    Reinforced exhausting workouts lead to injuries and serious problems with the cardiovascular system.

    Bulimia classification

    In medical practice, there are two diagnoses: bulimia nervosa and atypical bulimia nervosa.

    Bulimia nervosa is a collection of all the signs and symptoms that are described above. It is also called: bulimia NOS (without additional conditions), kinorexia nervosa (or "wolf hunger), hyperorexia nervosa. The only thing that needs to be clearly distinguished from anorexia nervosa. So a hallmark of bulimia nervosa is the presence of a depressive state and a normal body mass index. nine0003

    Atypical bulimia nervosa differs from its predecessor in that it may not include all of these signs, but only some of them. At the same time, the course of the disease itself is similar: overeating, and then emptying through vomiting or taking laxatives. Also, in atypical bulimia, depressive symptoms may predominate rather than food ones.

    Bulimia nervosa should not be confused with compulsive overeating, which is another separate type of eating disorder. nine0003

    Complications and consequences of bulimia

    The consequences of bulimia for the body can occur after a long time of illness, since a sharp decrease in body weight is not observed. The seriousness lies in the fact that many of them will remain with the patient for life. This means that the patient will have to take medications and monitor certain disorders in the body systems constantly, even if bulimia for him in the past. Among the very first complications are: an unbalanced state, constant stress, irritability, guilt, shame and panic. nine0003

    So, the consequences of bulimia nervosa:

    • Loss of electrolytes and dehydration.
    • Hypotension (decreased blood pressure) and frequent fainting.
    • The emergence of drug or alcohol addiction.
    • Chronic cardiovascular insufficiency.
    • Neurasthenia.
    • Deficiency of calcium and other trace elements.
    • Arrhythmia.
    • Lethargic stupor.
    • Renal failure.
    • Confused mind. nine0022
    • Edema of extremities.
    • Violation of the menstrual cycle, in some cases, its complete cessation.
    • Miscarriages during pregnancy.
    • Depression and suicidal tendencies.

    Such consequences occur over a long period of illness. Some of them are subject to restoration, but in most cases the patient will be prescribed maintenance therapy.

    When to see a doctor?

    Practice shows that going to the doctor for bulimia is delayed. Often it is generally initiated by the relatives and friends of the patient. Patients themselves come already with severe symptoms and consequences. A visit to a psychiatrist is delayed indefinitely while the symptoms are being treated. nine0003

    It is best to consult a psychiatrist when the first symptoms of bulimia appear: overeating and the guilt associated with it.

    Diagnostics

    Diagnosis of bulimia includes a number of studies: laboratory studies, special methods of electrical and computer diagnostics, various tests.

    Laboratory findings that indicate bulimia:

    • Elevated serum urea.
    • Hypokalemia. nine0022
    • Metabolic alkalosis.
    • Hypochloremia.
    • Positive dexamethasone test.
    • Low immunoregulatory index.

    MRI / CT, EEG can also be performed.

    Mandatory in the diagnosis of bulimia is the calculation of body mass index (BMI) and psychological testing.

    Bulimia treatment

    Depending on the stage, choose the appropriate type of treatment for bulimia:

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - has a positive effect by changing patients' negative beliefs about their weight and body to new, functional and devoid of value. nine0022
    • Interpersonal therapy. This type of treatment for bulimia nervosa is based not on the patient's personal beliefs, but on the difficulties of interpersonal interaction.
    • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. It results in a reduction in the number of seizures and depression.
    • Group therapy for bulimia is great for dealing with shame.
    • Family therapy. Unfortunately, relationships within the family are often a stimulant for bulimia, so this factor also needs to be addressed. nine0022
    • Drug therapy. It is prescribed for those who are weakly receptive or not at all receptive to psychotherapy. Antidepressants are often used.

    Also, concomitant treatment of the consequences and further recovery for bulimia is almost always used.

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    Bulimia Prevention

    To prevent bulimia and avoid recurrence of the disease, the following must be observed:

    • Have a healthy self-esteem. nine0022
    • Possess positive thinking.
    • Maintain a healthy psychological climate in the family.
    • Provide a stable and safe environment around.
    • Recognize intrapersonal conflicts and problems, and be able to cope with them.
    • Contact specialists in a timely manner.

    Bulimia is a common disease. It qualifies as mental and is treated by a psychiatrist. This disease lends itself well to diagnosis and treatment. Difficulties arise precisely with the appeal of the patient to the doctor. The realization that this help is needed comes to patients only with serious complications and lesions of other body systems: from the cardiovascular to the sexual. One thing is important: in order to get rid of the symptoms and the negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and other body systems, complex therapy of bulimia and the work of several doctors of different specialties are needed. nine0003

    Knowing the first signs and symptoms, relatives of the patient themselves can go to medical institutions and thereby protect a person from serious and sometimes irreversible consequences.

    References:

    1. Gurova O.Yu. Metabolic and mental characteristics of obese patients
    2. Fedorova I.I. Clinical-dynamic and psychotherapeutic aspects of eating disorders
    3. Mendelevich V.D. Food addictions, addictions - anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
    4. Bukhanovsky A.O., Kutyavin Yu.A., Litvak M.E. General psychopathology
    5. A.V. Snezhnevsky - Clinical Psychiatry

    Five irreversible consequences of bulimia for health

    Most girls and women are captivated by stereotypes and in pursuit of an ideal appearance and figure are constantly trying to change themselves. This struggle does not always end in victory, often the consequence of such a war is bulimia; the disease is insidious, which, in turn, leads to irreversible health consequences. nine0314

    People communicate less and less in reality, communication has been replaced by fashionable gadgets. No one discusses problems in private with each other, does not share news, but life is “boiling” on the network. Here they fall in love, meet and even start novels. People are changing real life to a ghostly virtual space.

    If you cannot cope with the disease on your own, we recommend that you seek help, because in the treatment of bulimia, with frequent vomiting after eating, you need serious professional help from either a psychotherapist or an eating disorder specialist. nine0003

    Want to cure your bulimia?

    Julia, aged 22, says:

    “I don't have many friends, and I don't see them often either. But online, I feel great. I come from the institute and start surfing - aimlessly wandering through the sites and pages of social networks. Sometimes I read some stuff. I don't talk much on the forums, I read other people's posts more often. One secret warms my soul: no one knows that I have been bulimic for 5 years. Do you know what it is? This is when you buy food for a week and eat everything at once. And then the food must be pulled out in order to understand that it did not harm your body. No, I’m just doing harm, otherwise why in the morning I look like I’ve been drinking water or something stronger all night - my face, eyes swell, I’m all swollen. But my weight is normal. nine0314

    But this is not the norm that it was at 15-16 years old, when my weight was ideal. And then, by the age of 17, with a height of 170 centimeters, I began to weigh 65 kilograms and panicked.

    Yes, I started to eat right, go to the gym, tightened my figure, but then I abandoned everything, and the weight began to grow rapidly again.

    And that's when I discovered this wonderful remedy. It’s probably not normal that I drink handfuls of laxatives and diuretics, as well as tranquilizers and antidepressants, and sometimes such melancholy attacks, even cry. My teeth crumble, colds do not go away, sometimes there are convulsions, but I can’t help myself. My main activity is the induction of vomiting, and so - from morning to evening. nine0314

    I promise myself to improve my eating habits from tomorrow, but nothing happens the next day. I am lonely and sad again, and only food becomes a source of pleasure for me, and even online communication.

    I have lost interests and friends, but I understand that I no longer want to live like this. There is information about bulimia on the Internet, but there are not very many of them. I am starting a blog where I will tell people about how I became ill with bulimia, and what consequences this led to. I hope my advice helps someone." nine0314

    If you cannot cope with the disease on your own, we recommend that you seek help, because in the treatment of bulimia, with frequent induction of vomiting after eating, serious professional help is needed either from a psychotherapist or a specialist in eating disorders.

    Want to cure bulimia?

    What do you know about bulimia?

    Bulimia is most common among those who want to lose weight through dietary restrictions. Sometimes failures, stress, feelings of loneliness and lack of positive emotions lead to bulimia. nine0003

    The person constantly worries for real or imagined reasons, and eventually begins to consume food in large quantities. He swallows it quickly, most often he does not even chew.

    Then the patient experiences burning shame, he begins to reproach himself and his body. He is afraid that he will get better, there is a desire to get rid of the consumed food at all costs, and he immediately fulfills this desire. The patient induces vomiting artificially, then begins to take laxatives and diuretics. To this, almost all bulimics add increased physical activity. nine0003

    In this struggle the organism becomes a victim and a hostage of the disease. The patient does not realize that the consequences of bulimia can be irreversible - up to the failure of some organs and his death.

    The consequences of bulimia:

    What happens to the body of a bulimic? The work of all internal organs is disrupted.

    Let's name the main health consequences of bulimia.

    • 1

      Chronic dehydration (occurs due to constant artificial vomiting and long-term use of diuretics) leads to a violation of the water and electrolyte balance. This means that the body is severely deficient in calcium, sodium, chloride, and potassium salts, which can impair muscle contractility, including the heart muscle. Those who suffer from bulimia, due to disruption of the heart and kidneys, there are numerous edema. They have tachycardia, enlarged lymph nodes, shortness of breath and weakness appear. nine0003

    • 2

      Metabolism is disturbed, the endocrine system "fails". Thyroid and parathyroid levels drop while levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, rise. The production of female hormones also decreases, which can lead to menstrual irregularities in women.

    • 3

      The digestive system begins to work incorrectly: gastritis and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum occur. Most of the beneficial enzymes that are necessary for the normal functioning of the body are excreted before being absorbed. The mucous membrane of the mouth and esophagus is constantly inflamed. The condition of the tooth enamel worsens, up to the complete destruction of the teeth. Ulcers form in the esophagus, which are difficult to treat and can lead to serious problems up to oncology. nine0003

    • 4

      Significantly deteriorates the condition of hair and nails, hair falls out thinning, dry, brittle and lifeless. Without timely treatment, bone and muscle tissue is weakened.

    • 5

      The functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems is disrupted. Patients constantly experience anxiety, cannot sleep. The biological rhythms of the body change.

      • nine0031

      Chairman of the Russian Association of Eating Disorders Anna Vladimirovna Nazarenko considers the main cause of bulimia to be breakdowns, which are caused by many years of “dieting”. All women want to be thin and slender, but when a woman constantly restricts herself, she wants delicious (and forbidden) food. She begins to eat everything, is horrified by what she has done, and begins to snatch this food. This is how the disease mechanism starts.

      If you cannot cope with the disease on your own, we recommend that you seek help, because in the treatment of bulimia, with frequent vomiting after eating, you need serious professional help from either a psychotherapist or an eating disorder specialist. nine0003

      Want to cure your bulimia?

      5 Devastating Effects of Bulimia on Your Body

      Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by overeating followed by a “compensatory” purge to control weight. The two most well-known symptoms of bulimia are overeating (eating large amounts of food) and purging (vomiting). But in fact, the phenomenon of bulimia is much broader. This disease can cause serious psychological problems and cause irreparable harm to your body. As a rule, the first associations that arise with the word "bulimia" are overeating and vomiting. nine0003

      The main symptoms of bulimia are:

      • weakness - a slight feeling of weakness is caused by low blood pressure.
      • mood swings - frequent overeating followed by "purge" can cause depression, anxiety and irritability
      • swelling of the throat - frequent vomiting can cause pain and swelling of the throat.
        • nine0021 vomiting blood - blood in the vomit may indicate damage to the esophagus.
      • cardiac arrhythmia - increased stress on a weakened heart can cause heart failure.
      • hemorrhoids - some people use laxatives to "cleanse", which can cause serious damage to the digestive tract. And as a result of an increase in the load on the intestines, you risk earning yourself hemorrhoids. nine0022
      • dry skin – this valuable fluid leaves your body with food.
      • red eyes - redness may result from exertion during vomiting.
      • swelling of the face - swollen cheeks may be the result of damage to the salivary glands.
      • Tooth decay - high acid content in your vomit causes your teeth to become sensitive and cause cavities. nine0022
      • "manic" training - many victims of bulimia become so obsessed with their own weight that they are ready to work out in the gym until they are completely exhausted.
      • obsession with body weight - obsession with body weight and appearance - sure symptoms of bulimia.
      • scarred hands - Scarring, often found on the backs of the hands, can result from contact with the incisors (teeth) if a person uses their fingers to induce vomiting. nine0022
      • pregnancy complication - You won't be able to get pregnant if bulimia has already disrupted your cycle. Bulimia during pregnancy can put the baby at risk for complications.
      • low sex drive - depression and nutritional deficiencies resulting from constant overeating and purging can cause low (or no) sex drive. nine0022

      In addition to the psychological stress, your body is under severe physical stress. Unlike anorexia, another popular eating disorder, bulimia is not necessarily accompanied by significant weight loss. However, this in no way reduces the severity of the disease.

      1. Integumentary system

      The integumentary system includes your hair, skin and nails. These parts of your body are also not immune to the effects of bulimia. Bad hair and skin are a sign of malnutrition, protein, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and a warning sign of a diseased intestine. You may even notice hair loss. Dry skin and nails are also long-term side effects of bulimia. Your skin may become rough and flaky, while your nails become brittle and brittle. nine0003

      If you induce vomiting using your fingers for a long time, the quality of the nail plate on the right hand will be different, the nails will be very exfoliated. The skin of the right hand will also differ in quality, it will be drier, all kinds of dermatitis and cracks may occur.

      2. Central Nervous System (Mental and Emotional Health)

      Although bulimia is an eating disorder, it is also a serious mental disorder that can seriously damage your health. You may experience depression, anxiety, or suffer from mood swings. Bad mood and irritability may be due to a lack of vitamins or behavioral habits characteristic of bulimia. For example, constant monitoring of consumed products and numbers on the scales can turn into a real obsession. Someone can overeat in secret, hiding "evidence of a crime" (like leftover food and laxatives). In pursuit of ideal weight, a person can develop a certain addiction. It can be an obsession with your own weight, "obsession" with intense training, and the like. Victims of bulimia often spend a lot of time thinking about food and how to control their appetite. It can even go so far that food can crowd out all other activities that used to bring pleasure. And having to keep your addiction a secret can cause stress and anxiety. Over time, victims of bulimia may develop a guilt complex towards relatives and friends. Bulimia can also be accompanied by persistent feelings of embarrassment and shame. In especially advanced cases, a person may have thoughts of suicide. nine0003

      3.

      Digestive system (GIT)

      Endless overeating and purging will eventually affect the normal functioning of your digestive system. In addition to the fact that such activities require some physical effort, bulimia itself can lead to general weakness and fatigue. Pain in the throat or stomach (or both) may be the first noticeable physical effects of bulimia. As the disease progresses, constant artificially induced vomiting can provoke the development of various diseases of the digestive tract, starting with the oral cavity. Over time, the high acid content of vomit can cause enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and gum disease. Swollen cheeks or jaws may indicate inflammation of the salivary glands. Acid can also:

      • irritate or even damage the esophagus
      • injure the esophagus and induce hematemesis
      • irritate the stomach
      • cause stomach pain, heartburn and acid reflux
      • damage the intestines and cause bloating, diarrhea or constipation

      Most often, fingers are used to induce artificial vomiting in bulimic victims. Over time, as a result of such manipulations, scars can form on the back of the palms - as a result of the contact of your fingers with your teeth. nine0003

      This phenomenon is known as "Russell's sign". The acid can also cause scarring on the fingers and back of the hands. Another way that victims of bulimia use to "cleanse" the body of excess calories received from food is all kinds of laxatives, diuretics and diet pills. Overuse of these drugs can make it difficult for the bowel to function naturally in their absence. Misuse of diuretics can also damage the kidneys. Excessive intestinal tension can provoke the development of hemorrhoids. nine0003

      4. Cardiovascular system

      Frequent brushing can lead to dehydration. This leads to general muscle weakness and severe fatigue. These activities can also upset your body's electrolyte balance and increase the workload on your heart. All this can provoke the development of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and in some serious cases lead to heart failure. Electrolytes that are usually excreted from the body with constant vomiting are potassium, magnesium and sodium. Bulimia can cause low blood pressure, weak pulse, and anemia. Vomiting in itself is a violation of the body. It can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to burst. nine0003

      5. Reproductive system

      Nutrient deficiencies experienced by victims of bulimia can cause hormonal imbalances. Eternal fatigue can deprive you of sexual desire. Bulimia can disrupt your menstrual cycle and prevent natural ovulation. And if your ovaries do not produce eggs, there is simply nothing for sperm to fertilize. Women who continue to overeat and “cleanse” their bodies during pregnancy can face serious complications:

      • Increased blood pressure

      • Diabetes mellitus during pregnancy

      • miscarriage

      • Premature birth

      • Pillow presentation of

      • High risk of cesarean section

      • Low weight of the newborn

      • Congenital fruit malformations

      • • • • • • • • stillbirth

      • difficulty breastfeeding

      • postpartum depression

      Using diuretics or laxatives during pregnancy can seriously harm your unborn baby. nine0003

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      Bulimics keep the disease a secret…

      It is difficult to recognize patients with bulimia: they are no different from others, and they keep their disease a secret, and can tell about it only to their closest friend (and more often do not trust this secret to anyone).

      Their life becomes a "running in a vicious circle", where the diet is followed by a breakdown, then a cleansing, and again all over again. After cleaning, the patient immediately begins to experience a feeling of hunger, which means that the state of "eating binge" is close. nine0003

      Because of such a rhythm of life, he constantly feels remorse, hence the melancholy and depression. At the heart of bulimia are hidden deep psychological experiences. Trying to transfer all your feelings to food is a kind of way to find answers to vital questions, but food will not help you find a way out.

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