Bulimia: Sign & Symptoms
2008 December 18 by: Scott
Bulimics purge their food as a method to avoid calories. This act often involves vomiting and laxative abuse. Other forms of purging can involve excessive exercise, fasting, use of diuretics, diet pills and enemas. All eating disorder can be harmful as well as fatal. Individuals who display the following signs and symptoms need medical attention.
Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia
- Binge eating
- Secretive eating (food missing)
- Bathroom visits after eating
- Vomiting
- Laxative, diet pill or diuretic abuse
- Weight fluctuations (usually with 10-15 lb range)
- Swollen glands
- Broken blood vessels
- Harsh exercise regimes
- Fasting
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Severe self-criticism
- Self-worth determined by weight
- Fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily
- Self-deprecating thoughts following eating
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Tooth decay
- Irregular heartbeats
- Avoidance of restaurants, planned meals or social events
- Complains of sore throat
- Need for approval from others
- Substance abuse
- Ipecac abuse
Physical/Medical Complications of Bulimia
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation) and irregular menstruation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Dehydration
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats
- Depression
- Tears of esophagus
- Hair loss
- Stomach pain and bloating
- Erosion of teeth enamel
- Chronic sore throat
- Kidney and liver damage
- Parotid gland enlargement
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Cathartic colon (caused from laxative abuse)
- Edema (swelling of hands and feet)
- Low blood pressure
- Chest pains
- Development of peptic ulcers and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Gastric dilation and rupture
- Abrasions on back of hands and knuckles
- Anemias
- Cardiac arrest and death
