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These are caused by the unusual eating habits and the methods used to purge the body of food (such as vomiting or the excessive use of laxatives). Physical problems do not always develop. They are more likely if you binge and purge often. One or more of the following may develop:

1.Psychological problems:These are very common and include feelings of guilt and disgust after bingeing and purging. Poor self-esteem, and mood swings, are common.

2.Depression:It is fairly common to feel low when you have bulimia. Some people even become depressed, which can respond well to treatment. It is important to talk about any symptoms of depression you may have. Many people find they become more moody or irritable.

3.Teeth problems:These can be caused by the acid from the stomach rotting away the enamel as a result of repeated vomiting.

4.Swelling of hands, feet and face:This is usually due to fluid disturbances in the body. The saliva glands in the face can sometimes swell due to the frequent vomiting.

5.Bowel problems:These may occur if you take a lot of laxatives. Laxatives can damage the bowel muscle and nerve endings. This may eventually result in permanent constipation and also sometimes abdominal pains.

6.Chemical imbalances in the body:These are caused by either repeated vomiting or excess use of laxatives. For example, a low potassium level which may cause tiredness, weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, kidney damage and convulsions. Low calcium levels can lead to tetany (muscle spasms).

7.Irregular periods:Many people have irregular periods as hormone levels can be affected by poor diet. Periods may even stop all together or you may find that your periods have never started, especially if you started having eating problems when you were younger.

Bulimia can, in rare cases, be fatal – but bulimics risk many serious health and wellbeing complications from their behaviors, including:

1.A loss of menstruation.
2.Cardiac arrest and possible death.
3.Stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
4.An enlargement of parotid glands (rounded cheeks are a symptom).
5.Ruptures of the esophagus.
6.Dizziness, headaches and fatigue.
7.Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance after excessive purging -This dehydration (and incorrect levels of sodium and potassium in the body) can lead to poor heart functioning, kidney and liver damage.
8.A risk of gastric rupture, in extreme cases of binge eating.
9.Dry skin and hair loss.
10.Tooth decay, sore throat and bad breath, from vomiting.

Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety often arise as a result of, or in combination with, bulimia nervosa. Preexisting obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, or impulsivity disorders may worsen when bulimia nervosa develops.

Treating the health effects of bulimia nervosa, whether they are mental disorders, abuse of laxatives, or the consequences of binge eating, is vital if the treatment of bulimia nervosa is to succeed.

Bulimics use binging and purging as a way to control negative emotions. Bulimics report feeling some release from feelings of depression or anxiety after purging, but this relief is only temporary, as purging, of course, cannot better problems with self-esteem, body-image issues or anxiety.

Bulimia is a serious condition, and is recognized as a mental health disorder, requiring both medical and psychiatric treatment. Most bulimics recognize that their behaviors are problematic, and most will agree to treatment if asked to go. It is therefore very important for loved-ones to remain vigilant to signs of bulimia, and ready to intervene if necessary.

Self-induced vomiting is a common purging technique used after binge eating. Frequent vomiting can result in metabolic alkalosis, an imbalance in the body’s acid/base balance. The effects of metabolic alkalosis range from slowed breathing (including instances of apnea, the cessation of breathing during sleep) to irritability to irregular heartbeat to convulsions and coma.

More noticeable are the effects repeated vomiting has on the teeth. Stomach acid gradually erodes dental enamel, discoloring teeth and causing unusual numbers of dental cavities. As dental enamel continues to erode, teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and liquids.

Frequent vomiting also increases the likelihood of lung aspiration, which can cause damage to lung tissue. Aspirated vomit may cause pneumonia, shock and respiratory distress.
Effects of Ipecac Misuse in Bulimia

Many bulimics induce vomiting with ipecac syrup. Ipecac is an emetic designed to induce vomiting in poison victims. Ipecac is available without a prescription, making it easy for people with bulimia to access.

The effects of repeated use of ipecac can be serious. Ipecac misuse causes muscle weakness and tachycardia (an abnormal, and potentially dangerous, rapid heart rate). Ipecac abuse can also result in cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle can no longer pump sufficient blood. Ipecac-induced cardiomyopathy is a factor in many bulimia nervosa fatalities.

Treatment works, and the earlier treatment is initiated, the better the prognosis