Bulimia - Complications of bulimia
- Introduction
- Symptoms of bulimia
- Causes of bulimia
- Diagnosing bulimia
- Treating bulimia
- Complications of bulimia
- 'Bulimia isn't a women’s disease; it’s a people's disease'
- 'I knew it had to stop because I was living a dual life'
- 'I went into hospital with a ruptured bile duct from vomiting so much'
There are a number of physical complications associated with bulimia.
These can include any of the following:
- Dental problems – persistent vomiting can cause your stomach acid to damage the enamel on your teeth, which may lead to tooth decay. Excessive vomiting can also cause bad breath and a sore throat.
- Irregular periods – your menstrual cycle can become unpredictable, or even stop altogether. You may also find it difficult to become pregnant in the future.
- Poor skin and hair – a lack of nutrients through persistent vomiting or laxative use can make your skin and hair unhealthy. Your skin and hair can become dry and your fingernails can become brittle.
- Swollen glands – if you have bulimia, your saliva glands can become swollen from frequent vomiting. This makes your face appear rounder.
- Chemical imbalance – excessive vomiting and laxative use can cause chemical imbalances in your body. This can result in tiredness, weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, kidney damage, convulsions (fits) and muscle spasms.
- Bowel problems – excessive use of laxatives can damage your bowel muscles, resulting in permanent constipation.
- Heart problems – long-term complications of bulimia can include an increased risk of heart problems.
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