Bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, is an eating disorder that involves episodes of binging and purging (see Reference 1). This means you consume large amounts of food and then attempt to get rid of the food and calories you have consumed by inducing vomiting, exercising excessively, or abusing laxatives, enemas, or ipecac syrup (see References 1). These behaviors cause stress on the body and bodily damage that can be life-threatening.
Physical Symptoms
Purging, or getting rid of food by using laxatives, diuretics or vomiting, is a characteristic of bulimia that causes physical symptoms (see Reference 1). These symptoms can include problems with bowel function, tooth and gum damage, throat and mouth sores, swollen salivary glands, dry skin, fatigue, dehydration, irregular heartbeat, menstrual irregularities and calluses on the knuckles or hands (from sticking fingers down the throat; see Reference 1). Other symptoms may include thinning hair or hair loss, low blood pressure, frequent sore throats, and light bruising under the eyes and on the cheeks (see Reference 2).
Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic lists some emotional and behavioral signs of bulimia as including a feeling of lack of control over eating habits, eating to the point of pain or discomfort, binging, exercising for hours or abusing laxatives or enemas, hoarding food, depression and a preoccupation with weight and food (see Reference 1). Repeatedly leaving the table to go to the restroom during meals and frequent showers after meals can be signs of bulimic behavior (see Reference 2). Mood swings, poor sleep habits, abusing ipecac syrup (to vomit), low self esteem and fatigue can also be symptoms of this eating disorder (see Reference 2). Psychiatric therapy is often prescribed for people with bulimia.
Clinical/Medical Symptoms
Esophageal tears, gastric rupture, and gastrointestinal bleeding can all be signs of repeated self-induced vomiting (see Reference 3). Various vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as a lack of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, iron, calcium, folic acid, sodium and potassium, can develop with bulimia, as well (see Reference 3). These deficiencies can lead to heart arrhythmias, osteoporosis, anemia, immune system deficiencies and elevated cholesterol levels (see Reference 3). These imbalances can be life-threatening and cause extensive damage to the body if the sufferer does not receive medical attention.
