WEIGHT LOSS: MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF BULIMIA NERVOSA
Bulimia does not produce physical symptoms in the same way that chicken pox does, for example. But there are physical consequences, most of which are actually side effects of overeating or vomiting. These complications can be grouped as follows:
Digestive Tract
Stomach pain
Abdominal swelling
Pancreatitis
Cramps
Nausea
Vomiting (involuntary)
Rupture Malnutrition
Electrolyte imbalance
Hair loss
Softening or discoloration of fingernails
Weakness
Dental decay Neurological Changes
Depression
Mood changes
Disturbed sleep
Abnormal brain waves
Muscle spasms
Tingling sensations
Endocrine Changes
Dehydration
Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
Due to Vomiting
Fluid loss
Edema
Burning sensations in the mouth and esophagus
Dental decay
Electrolyte imbalance
Scars on the hands (When fingers are thrust in the back of the throat to trigger vomiting, they can involuntarily be bitten.)
Due to Laxatives, Diuretics, Diet Pills
Malabsorption
Cramps
Kidney damage
Swelling in the fingers
Withdrawal symptoms (constipation)
Increased (rebound) appetite
Mood swings, increased irritability
Death
When you eat vast amounts of food in a short period of time, you place a severe strain on your body’s ability to function. The stomach is only so large; when stretched too far, pain and nausea may result, as may involuntary vomiting. There are rare reports of people who have died when their stomachs burst from overfilling.
As food enters the body, the gastrointestinal organs begin the process of digestion and send feedback signals to the brain to regulate the process. However, overstimulation caused by a food binge can disrupt body function. The pancreas, for example, secretes some of the enzymes necessary to break down food in the stomach. When forced to overproduce, such as during a binge, the pancreas becomes irritated. The resulting condition, known as pancreatitis, causes abdominal pain, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting.
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