Bulimia is usually associated with eating large amounts of food followed by intentional vomiting. When this becomes a frequent practice, acid from the stomach begins to damage the esophagus and mouth. The resulting health problems are similar to those seen in a person suffering from severe acid reflux.
Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa, also known as bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by ridding the body of consumed calories. This eating disorder is different from anorexia nervosa because food intake is not usually restricted. Someone with bulimia is referred to as a bulimic. Bulimics typically attempt to get rid of the calories they eat through self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise or abuse of laxatives. Over time this can wreak havoc on the body and cause serious health complications.
Complications
Eating large amounts of food and then intentionally throwing up, also known as binging and purging, is the most common practice of a bulimic. Although the goal may be to lose weight, the bulimic will likely suffer other ill effects from frequent vomiting such as electrolyte imbalances. The frequent regurgitation of stomach acid through the esophagus and mouth can cause tooth decay, swollen salivary glands, and sores in the mouth and throat.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux can cause ulcers or strictures, and may progress to esophageal cancer over time. A 2011 literature review published in "Diseases of the Esophagus" stated that many textbooks note a link between bulimia and acid reflux but the evidence for this association is very limited. It was also mentioned that some bulimics in the reviewed studies had more gastrointestinal symptoms than the control group but this may have been attributed to overeating and self-induced vomiting rather than acid reflux itself.
Treatment
Although more research is warranted to clearly define if there is indeed a relationship between bulimia and acid reflux, both conditions can cause long term health complications. Anyone suffering from bulimia should seek help from a mental health professional as well as a physician. Acid reflux can sometimes be relieved with diet modifications, over the counter medications or lifestyle changes. It is currently recommended to maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking if you are experiencing symptoms of acid reflux.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Bulimia Nervosa
- "Diseases of the Esophagus"; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Bulimia Nervosa - A Review of the Literature; M. Denholm, et al.; 2011.
