Eating Disorders - Complications of Bulimia

Highlights	Complications of Anorexia	Treatment for Anorexia
Introduction	Symptoms	Therapy
Risk Factors	Diagnosis	Resources
Causes	Treatment	References
Complications of Bulimia	Treatment for Bulimia

Complications of Bulimia

Most studies report that patients with bulimia that is not accompanied by severe weight loss have a much better outlook than patients with anorexia. Some studies have suggested that 60 - 80% of bulimic patients are in remission within 3 months of treatment. However, relapse is common, and over half of women with bulimia continue to battle disordered eating habits for years. In one study, bulimia itself persisted in 10 - 25% of patients after treatment.

Direct Adverse Effects of Bulimic Behavior on the Body

Many medical problems are directly associated with bulimic behavior, including:

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Tooth erosion, cavities, and gum problems
Water retention, swelling, and abdominal bloating
Acute stomach distress
Fluid loss with low potassium levels (due to excessive vomiting or laxative use; can lead to extreme weakness, near paralysis, or lethal heart rhythms)
Irregular periods
Swallowing problems and esophagus damage

Forced vomiting causes repetitive assaults on the esophagus (the food pipe) from forced vomiting. It is not clear, however, if swallowing problems are common.

The esophagus connects the nose and mouth with the stomach. The epiglottis folds over the trachea when a swallow occurs, to prevent the swallowed substance from being inhaled into the lungs. When a person is unable to swallow because of illness or coma, a tube may be inserted either through the mouth or nose, past the epiglottis, through the esophagus and into the stomach. Nutrients pass directly through the tube into the stomach.

Rupture of the esophagus, or food pipe
Weakened rectal walls (rare, but serious condition that requires surgery)

Click the icon to see an image of the rectum.

Long-Term Health Problems

Studies have been mixed on the long-term health consequences for bulimic people who maintain normal weight and who do not go on to become anorexic. Some report no major problems. A 2002 study, however, reported that eating disorders during adolescence put these young people at risk for a variety of psychological and medical problems later on, even in those without severe eating disorders. Health problems included circulatory disorders (such as high blood pressure), neurologic symptoms (such as seizures), chronic fatigue, headache, frequent flus and colds, and insomnia. Even worse, only 22% of the subjects had received any psychiatric treatment. The study did not break down specific eating disorders, but related the health problems with specific behaviors.

Furthermore, another 2002 study reported that bulimic patients were at higher risk for bone fractures. (The risk was lower than with anorexia and, unlike in anorexia, it returned to normal within a year of diagnosis and treatment.)