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Bulimia Side Effects
In this Article:
The last section indicated some of bulimia’s physical side effects. Here we’ll survey a handful of organ systems in the body, noting the bulimia side effects in each (without assuming that these effects are inevitable for any percentage of bulimia sufferers). The reader will note how comprehensive and devastating bulimia can be to the entire body; virtually no organ system escapes untouched.
Bulimia Side Effects
In this Article:
The last section indicated some of bulimia’s physical side effects. Here we’ll survey a handful of organ systems in the body, noting the bulimia side effects in each (without assuming that these effects are inevitable for any percentage of bulimia sufferers). The reader will note how comprehensive and devastating bulimia can be to the entire body; virtually no organ system escapes untouched.
Bulimia Side Effects
- Circulatory Side Effects: Bulimia can cause a person to suffer from cardiac arrhythmias; the heart’s electrical activity becomes irregular. The walls of the heart can rupture and lead to heart attacks. Additionally, ipecac abuse can lead to cardiomyopathy, or a diseased heart muscle.
- Digestive Side Effects: Bingeing can swell the stomach, while purging can lead to swelling or rupture of the esophagus.
- Muscular Side Effects: Proximal muscle weakness from frequent vomiting; the potential to develop tetany from potassium irregularities.
- Urinary Side Effects: Impaired kidney function
- Nervous Side Effects: Central nervous system seizures.
- Respiratory Side Effects: Bulimics can suffer pulmonary problems from inhaling stomach contents, as well as an uncommon condition called pneumomediastinum, when air escapes the lungs into the chest cavity. It can be recognized by what’s called Hamman's crunch; a crunching sound is made with each cardiac cycle.
Finally, bulimia can seriously impact one’s mental health, leading to depression, isolation, suicide attempts, or substance abuse. Side effects from bulimia should be taken very seriously as they can often be harmful to one's health and well being.
