Complications In Bulimia

When an individual suffers from bulimia, the symptoms of binging and purging from this disorder can lead to irreparable damage to the body and in some cases even death. Many individuals who suffer from this disorder fail to get treatment for many years as they deny that they have a problem because of the shame and embarrassment they feel.

While it is possible to experience a full recovery from bulimia even after many years of living with this disorder, the long term effects of bulimia are numerous and can lead to many life threatening conditions.

Physical Effects of Bulimia

Dental problems that many individuals experience with bulimia include erosion of the tooth enamel and tooth decay which is caused by prolonged vomiting. Frequent vomiting also causes the salivary glands to swell as well as dryness of the mouth due to loss of fluids. Duodenal and stomach ulcers are also a common occurrence with bulimia as the gastrointestinal acid eats away at areas of the stomach lining as well as the tube leading out of the stomach.

The esophagus is also affected by frequent vomiting as the stomach acids can irritate the lining and cause the esophagus to become inflamed, tear or even rupture. A ruptured esophagus is a life threatening condition which requires emergency medical treatment.

Dehydration is one of the most common occurrences with anorexia and bulimia. Dehydration is typically caused by the deliberate techniques used by individuals with an eating disorder to eliminate any food which they have ingested which causes a significant loss of fluids.

This dehydration causes an electrolyte imbalance in the body that decreases the levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.  An electrolyte imbalance can also lead to an irregular heartbeat which causes a drop in blood pressure and can also lead to cardiac arrest.

Psychological Effects of Bulimia

There are also serious psychological effects associated with bulimia which require treatment by a mental health professional. Many bulimics experience deep levels of depression which can also lead to suicidal thoughts and the act of suicide itself. Substance abuse is also common among bulimics which include the use of alcohol and other illicit or prescription drugs.

Many individuals with bulimia also have anxiety disorders as well "OCDS" or "Obsessive Compulsive Disorders". Individuals with an eating disorder also typically suffer from a low self esteem which includes a distorted view of their body image in believing they are overweight when in fact they are of normal weight or even underweight.

Some studies that have been conducted show that as many as fifty percent of bulimics will exhibit impulsive behaviors which can include the act of self mutilation by cutting themselves, sexual promiscuity, and kleptomania. People with an eating disorder also tend to withdraw themselves socially and become isolated and alone.

It is estimated that ten percent of individuals who suffer from bulimia will die from complications due to this disorder with the most common cause being an electrolyte imbalance due to dehydration.  It is essential that individuals with bulimia receive professional medical assistance in order to effectively recover from this disorder.