The Effects of Bulimia on Your Body

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that’s described as a destructive pattern of

eating and purging to control weight. Two of the most prominent behaviors of
bulimia are bingeing (eating a lot of food) and purging (self-induced vomiting),
but bulimia encompasses so much more than that. It can also take a
tremendous emotional toll and lead to severe, life-threatening conditions.

When you think of bulimia, you’re most likely to think of bingeing and purging.
However, these aren’t the only symptoms of the disorder. Bulimia can present
itself through the following symptoms:
In addition to mental stress, continuous bingeing and purging puts great strain
on the body. Unlike anorexia, another type of eating disorder, bulimia doesn’t
necessarily have symptoms of significant weight loss. But the effects are still
very real.

Central nervous system (mental and emotional health)

While characterized as an eating disorder, bulimia is also a mental health

disorder that causes a cycle of health concerns. You may experience depression,
anxiety, or obsessive-compulsivebehaviors. Moodiness and irritability may occur
due to lack of vitamins or behaviors that come along with bulimia. For example,
constant monitoring of food and weight can become an obsession. Someone
may also binge in secret and then hide evidence of food and laxatives. In order
to achieve their ideal weight, people may also engage in substance abuse.

Compulsive exercising or preoccupation with appearance are also common

symptoms. It’s not unusual for someone with bulimia to spend a lot of time
thinking about food and how to control it. In fact, people with bulimia may
become quite focused on eating to the exclusion of other activities that they
used to enjoy.

Having to keep secrets contributes to the cycle of stress and anxiety. Over time,
guilt can build up from keeping secrets from your friends and loved ones. This
may also be accompanied by feelings of embarrassment and shame. Suicidal
behavior may form as a culmination of the stress and extreme unhealthy body
image.

Digestive system

The cycle of bingeing and purging eventually takes a toll on your digestive
system. Not only is it physically demanding, but the effects of bulimia can bring
on general weakness and fatigue.
A sore throat, stomach pain, or both may be the first obvious physical side
effects of bulimia. As the disorder progresses, chronic self-induced vomiting can
cause a variety of symptoms in the digestive tract, beginning at the mouth. Over
time, the high acid content of vomit can damage teeth and cause enamel
erosion, tooth sensitivity, and gum disease. Puffy cheeks or jaws may be noticed
secondary to swollen salivary glands.

Acid can also:

 irritate or tear your esophagus

 rupture your esophagus and cause blood in vomit

 irritate your stomach

 cause stomachaches, heartburn, and acid reflux

 damage the intestines and cause bloating, diarrhea, or constipation

Putting a finger down your own throat is one of the most common ways people
with bulimia induce vomiting. Doing this over and over can cause callouses on
the back of your hand (in the knuckle area) because of your knuckles coming in
contact with your incisors. This phenomenon is known as Russell’s sign. The
acidity scars the skin on your fingers and hands.

Another way that some people try to rid the body of excessive calories from
food is to use diuretics, diet pills, or laxatives. Overuse of these products can
make it difficult to have a bowel movement without using them. Misdirected use
of diuretics may also damage the kidneys. Over-strained bowel movements can
also result in hemorrhoids.

Circulatory system

Frequent purging can cause dehydration. This leads to weak muscles and
extreme fatigue. It can also throw your electrolytes out of balance and put strain
on your heart. This can cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and in some
severe cases, a weakened heart muscle and heart failure. The electrolytes that
tend to go missing from constant vomiting are potassium, magnesium, and
sodium.

Bulimia can cause low blood pressure, a weak pulse, and anemia. Vomiting can
be a violent event. The sheer force of it can even cause the blood vessels in your
eyes to rupture.

Reproductive system

The nutritional deficiencies people with bulimia experience can cause a

hormonal imbalance. The fatigue can kill your sex drive. Bulimia can interfere
with your menstrual cycle or stop it altogether. If the ovaries no longer release
eggs, it’s impossible for the sperm to fertilize the egg.

Pregnant women who continue to engage in bingeing and purging behaviors

face additional complications for themselves and their babies. These include:

 maternal high blood pressure

 gestational diabetes

 miscarriage

 premature birth

 breech birth

 higher risk of cesarean delivery

 low birth weight babies

 birth defects

 stillbirth

 breastfeeding difficulties

 postpartum depression

Use of diuretics or laxatives during pregnancy may be harmful to your unborn

baby.
Integumentary system

The integumentary system includes your hair, skin, and nails. These parts of your
body aren’t immune to the effects of bulimia, either. Dehydration from frequent
vomiting means that your body doesn’t have enough water. In turn, your hair
can become dry and frizzy. You may even experience hair loss.

Dry skin and nails are also a long-term side effect of bulimia. Your skin may
become rough and scaly, while your nails turn brittle.