Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder in which affected patients self-induce vomiting or excessively use laxatives, diuretics or enemas following eating binges. Women are three times more likely than men to develop bulimia, based upon estimates provided by the National Institute of Mental Health. Unlike patients with anorexia nervosa, another type of eating disorder, bulimic patients can be a normal weight but are intensely afraid of gaining weight. The common symptoms of bulimia can lead to significant medical problems in affected patients if medical intervention is not received.
Binging
The most common symptom of bulimia is binge eating, explains PDR Health, a medical information website established by the publishers of the Physicians' Desktop Reference. Binging is a term used to describe the consumption of large amounts of food over a short period of time. Patients with this condition may binge eat several times a day over a span of several months or years. Bulimic patients may be ashamed of these eating activities and may only eat alone or may hide food throughout the house. Typically these episodes of binge eating are immediately followed by acts that purge the body of food, such as self-induced vomiting.
Frequent Vomiting
After eating binges, patients with bulimia commonly purge this excess food from the body through self-induced vomiting. Though vomiting is typically done in private, patients with bulimia may show common symptoms of vomiting, such as swollen cheeks or bloodshot eyes, reports the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Bulimic patients who frequently self-induce vomiting with their fingers may exhibit scrapes or calluses on the fingers or knuckles.
Overuse of Laxatives
Certain patients with bulimia may purge food from the body through the overuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas rather than by self-induced vomiting. Laxatives and diuretics stimulate the body to excrete fluid and stools from the body, which can lead to weight loss. Enemas involve cleansing the intestinal tract of its contents, which can prevent bulimic patients from gaining weight after binge eating episodes. Overuse of these products can lead to additional side effects in certain patients, such as constipation, dizziness or rectal bleeding.
Tooth Decay
Frequent vomiting can cause tooth decay or gum infections in certain bulimic patients, explains Medline Plus, a health information website supported by the National Institutes of Health. Stomach acid within the vomit can erode tooth enamel, which can cause cavities or unusually thin or translucent teeth. Bulimic patients may also have bad breath or may frequently brush their teeth or chew gum or mints after meals.
