What Health Risks of Bulimia are there?
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The health risks of Bulimia can be serious and even life threatening, especially if the condition is continued for a long period of time. The whole body can be affected in many different ways.

Now, we don't want to shock or scare anyone unnecessarily, but if you are suffering from an eating disorder, then we hope this page will help motivate you to speak to your doctor and seek professional help to stop binging and purging.

Some of the main health risks of Bulimia come from chronic DEHYDRATION, which will result from repeated vomiting and diuretic or laxative abuse. This can then go on to cause:

• Irregular heart beat (often as a result of electrolyte imbalance - from the body being depleted of essential 'salts' such as potassium, sodium and magnesium)
  

  picture by suika on flickr.com

• Kidney damage can also result from Hypokalemia (low potassium)

• Symptoms of such electrolyte imbalance can be: 'cloudy' thinking, tiredness, dizziness and depression.

• Low blood pressure

• Swelling to the hands and feet

• Irregular or absent menstrual cycle

• Low fertility

Vitamin and mineral loss can further lead to:

• Osteoporosis

• Anaemia

Binge eating and purging often give rise to abdominal upsets, such as:

• Bloating, abdominal discomfort or pain, diarrhoea, constipation, irregular bowel movements, stomach cramps

And the constant irritation to the gastric system leads to:

• Swollen salivary glands - (this often gives the Bulimia sufferer a more rounded appearance to their face)

• Chronic gastric reflux

• Peptic ulcers

• Oesophagitis (chronic inflammation of the oesophagus)

Other health risks resulting from forced vomiting can include:

• Oesophageal varices (varicosed veins in the oesophagus) that can rupture, producing blood in the vomit

• Lacerations to the throat or mouth

• Sore throat and hoarse voice

• Calluses and scars to the knuckles from sticking the hands down the throat

And the change in oral pH balance caused by the presence of stomach acid from regular vomiting leads to erosion of the tooth enamel and increased cavities and tooth discolouration.

There are other serious health risks of Bulimia such as Pancreatitis; so please, if you are suffering, do seek out professional help to support you in overcoming the grip of your eating disorder.