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 between 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:

• 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

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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.

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