Bulimia nervosa: Medical complications | 281.000000000000 | Bulimia nervosa: Medical complications | Bulimia nervosa: Medical complications | B | English | Psychiatry | Teen (13-18 years) | NA | NA | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2016-02-02T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 9.80000000000000 | 52.8000000000000 | 592.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how bulimia nervosa causes malnutrition and disrupts the body's usual functions.</p> | <p>Purging food over a period of time can lead to malnutrition. The body gets malnourished when it does not get enough nutrients to perform its usual functions.</p><p>Malnutrition can affect every part of the body. Below are some of bodily functions and parts of the body that most commonly experience medical complications in children and teens with bulimia nervosa.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Bulimia nervosa can result in a slow or irregular heart beat as well as very low blood pressure.</li><li>Over time, lack of vitamins and minerals can cause bones to become weaker, resulting in osteoporosis or fractures, and can cause hair to fall out.</li><li>Frequent vomiting can result in acid reflux and tooth decay from stomach acid eroding tooth enamel.</li><li>Purging the body of proper nutrients can also hinder brain function, resulting in difficulties with concentration and mood swings.</li><li>When the body is purged of food containing fats, it may not produce normal levels of hormones, which can have long-lasting effects on growth, puberty and menstrual cycles.</li></ul> | | | | | | | <h2>Low or irregular heart rate</h2><p>Bulimia nervosa can cause a person's heart rate to become critically slow (a condition known as bradycardia). The heart may also speed up abnormally when a person moves from lying down to standing up. A very slow or sudden change in heart rate makes it unsafe for someone to be out of hospital. Some people with bulimia nervosa also develop an abnormal heart rhythm due to changes in the body's chemicals caused by purging. They would need to be monitored in a hospital.</p><h2>Low blood pressure</h2><p>People with bulimia nervosa may have low blood pressure or may experience a drop in their blood pressure when they move from lying down to standing up. This puts them at risk of fainting.</p><h2>Weak bones</h2><p>Lack of
<a href="/Article?contentid=1970&language=English">calcium or vitamin D</a> over a long period can cause bones to become weaker. This leaves someone with bulimia nervosa at risk of developing
<a href="/Article?contentid=948&language=English">osteoporosis</a> or bone fractures in the future.</p><h2>Mood changes</h2><p>When the brain is starved of nutrients, a person with bulimia nervosa will experience more frequent changes in their mood and be less able to concentrate and think clearly.</p><h2>Reduced hormone levels</h2><p>With continued purging of foods containing fat, the body may not produce normal levels of hormones. In teenage girls, this can lead to abnormal or missed periods.</p><p>Younger children who experience bulimia nervosa may not go through puberty normally or may stop growing.</p><h2>Thinning hair</h2><p>Lack of vitamins and minerals can cause hair to become thinner or fall out.</p><h2>Tooth decay</h2><p>Because of repeated vomiting, acid from the stomach may start to wear away tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.</p><h2>Low electrolyte levels</h2><p>Electrolytes include chemicals such as potassium, sodium and magnesium. These are needed to regulate the body's balance of fluids and salts. Purging can significantly disturb this balance, which can cause serious heart rhythm irregularities.</p><h2>Problems with the digestive system</h2><p>Frequent vomiting may lead to acid reflux from the stomach and inflammation or tears of the esophagus (gut). Repeated laxative use can also lead to constipation.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Further information</h2><p>For more information on bulimia nervosa, please see the following pages:</p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=282&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: Overview</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=283&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: Signs and symptoms</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=706&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: Treatment options</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=294&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: How to help your child at home</a></p><h2>Resources</h2><p>
<a href="http://www.nedic.ca/" target="_blank">NEDIC – National Eating Disorder Information Centre</a> (Canada)</p><p>
<a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA – National Eating Disorder Association</a> (United States)</p><p>American Academy of Pediatrics –
<em>
<a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Is-Your-Teen-at-Risk-for-Developing-an-Eating-Disorder.aspx" target="_blank">Eating Disorders in Children</a> </em></p><p>
<a href="https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/" target="_blank">BEAT – Beating Eating Disorders</a> (United Kingdom)</p><p>
<a href="https://keltyeatingdisorders.ca/" target="_blank">Kelty Eating Disorders</a> (Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, BC Children's Hospital)</p><p>Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario –
<a href="https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/eating_disorder_info" target="_blank">
<em>Eating Disorders</em></a></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/bulimia_medical_complications.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/bulimia_medical_complications.jpg | | | | | | | Bulimia nervosa: Medical complications | | False | | | | | | | | |