How is the digestive system affected by bulimia?
Many people with bulimia experience digestive problems, including acid reflux and stomach pain. The sphincter controlling the esophagus may become weaker, allowing acid to back up into the esophagus and causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Other possible digestive issues include diarrhea, bloating, and constipation.
How does vomiting damage the digestive system?
Digestive system 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.
Which oral health condition is often seen in bulimics?
Dentists have recognized a higher incidence of cavities in individuals with bulimia nervosa. Individuals who engage in chewing and spitting, which can be a symptom of other eating disorders as well as bulimia nervosa, can also experience dental problems such as tooth decay and cavities.
What are 5 physical effects of bulimia?
Physical symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:
- Facial swelling or swollen parotid glands visible at the jawline or cheeks (parotitis).
- Heartburn, indigestion, bloating.
- Irregular menstrual periods.
- Weakness, exhaustion.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Dental problems, including erosion of tooth enamel.
- Sore throat.
Can bulimia affect your bowels?
Bulimia can permanently damage your stomach and intestines, causing other problems like constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Can your esophagus heal after bulimia?
Damage to the esophagus can be treated. However, full healing is not possible until the bulimic stops vomiting. Ulcers can be treated with medications, including antibiotics. Surgery can usually repair esophageal ruptures.
Can bulimia cause intestinal problems?
What can long term bulimia cause?
Other long-term consequences of bulimia include damage to the kidneys, increased risk of kidney stones and kidney failure, diabetes, high cholesterol, hormonal imbalances, fertility problems, chronic dehydration, chronic fatigue, and electrolyte imbalances.
Can Dentists tell if your bulimic?
Excessive tooth erosion is one way your dentist could tell if a patient may be bulimic. Frequent vomiting can lead to sensitive teeth, dry mouth and red, cracked lips. All signs that your dentist is trained to recognize as side effects of bulimia.
Can bulimia cause colon problems?
It starts with constipation or diarrhea and maybe hemorrhoids. Eventually, laxative use can cause ulcers in the lining of the intestines. Constipation can lead to bowel obstruction and perforation.
Can bulimia cause gastroparesis?
Bulimia may cause gastroparesis, a partial paralyzation of your stomach muscles. It is important to note that chronic health issues do not disappear once you are in recovery from bulimia. For example, you may suffer from gastroparesis years after your last cycle of binging and purging.
How do bulimics affect the digestive system?
The digestive system may be the most affected system from all of them for bulimics. When you binge (consume a lot of food in a short period of time), you are overwhelming your digestive system. If forced vomiting occurs, your digestive system will be further distressed and ruined.
What are the symptoms of slow digestion in bulimia?
Slowed and Disordered Digestion in Bulimia. Binging and purging also impair the body’s natural digestive flow. The prevention of food passing through the intestines can severely slow digestion, which may cause symptoms such as. Bloating. Nausea. Diarrhea. Delayed gastric emptying. Indigestion.
Why do bulimics get diarrhea?
Alternatively, if a bulimic uses purgatives, laxatives, or diuretics this can cause diarrhea. In long-term abuse cases much greater damage can occur to the colon and lower intestine. With excessive laxative abuse, there is damage to the gastrointestinal tract causing bloody stools.
What are the long term effects of bulimia?
And bulimia can lead to enlarged salivary glands in your mouth. Digestive problems. Bulimia can permanently damage your stomach and intestines, causing other problems like constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome. Ipecac-induced myopathy, or muscle weakness.