Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa (BN) affects how you feel about your body and how you eat. People with BN usually diet and try to control what they eat. But, there are also times when they eat a very large amount of food in a short time. This is called bingeing. People with BN say they feel out of control when they binge. Afterwards, they often feel guilty and disgusted by how much food they have eaten. They force themselves to make up for eating so much by over-exercising or purging (vomiting or taking laxatives or diuretics). However, purging is a dangerous way of trying to manage weight, and purging is generally not an effective way to control weight. They purge or over-exercise because they are scared they will gain weight. People with BN binge and purge regularly, at least once per week.
Common complications of bulimia nervosa include:
Resource List
Common complications of bulimia nervosa include:
- mood swings, depression, anxiety
- irritable
- dizzy, headaches
- rashes and pimples
- swollen cheeks
- scars or calluses on the knuckles (Russell’s sign )
- heartburn (acid reflux)
- low blood pressure
- stomach or intestinal problems
- constipation
- loss of bone density
- swollen hands or feet
- dry, yellow skin
- infertile, unable to get pregnant
- kidney failure
- abnormal heartbeat or heart attack
- slowed heart rate
- breathless
- enlarged glands in the mouth and neck
- dehydrated
- tooth pain or tooth decay
- red eyes
- hair loss or thinning
- weight changes
- insomnia
- low blood potassium
Resource List
- Bulimia Nervosa: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment and Help ( English )
- Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents ( English Korean Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Punjabi )
- Bulimia Self-Help Manual ( English )