How bulimia affects the body The erosion on the lower teeth was caused by bulimia. For comparison, the upper teeth were restored with porcelain veneers. Bulimia typically involves rapid and out-of-control<unk> , which may stop when the person is interrupted by another person or the stomach hurts from over-extension, followed by self-induced vomiting or other forms of purging. This cycle may be repeated several times a week or, in more serious cases, several times a day and may directly cause: * Chronic gastric reflux after<unk> , secondary to vomiting * Dehydration and hypokalemia due to renal potassium loss in the presence of alkalosis and frequent vomiting * Electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, and even death * Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus * Mallory-Weiss tears * Boerhaave syndrome, a rupture in the esophageal wall due to vomiting * Oral trauma, in which repetitive insertion of fingers or other objects causes lacerations to the lining of the mouth or throat * Russell's sign: calluses on knuckles and back of hands due to repeated trauma from incisors * Perimolysis, or severe dental erosion of tooth enamel * Swollen salivary glands (for example, in the neck, under the jaw line) * Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying * Constipation or diarrhea *Tachycardia or palpitations *Hypotension * Peptic ulcers * Infertility * Constant weight fluctuations are common *Elevated blood sugar, cholesterol, and amylase levels may occur *Hypoglycemia may occur after vomiting These are some of the many signs that may indicate whether someone has bulimia nervosa: * A fixation on the number of calories consumed * A fixation on and extreme consciousness of one's weight * Low self-esteem and/or self-harming * Suicidal tendencies * An irregular menstrual cycle in women * Regular trips to the bathroom, especially soon after<unk>  * Depression, anxiety disorders and sleep disorders * Frequent occurrences involving consumption of abnormally large portions of food * The use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills *Compulsive or excessive exercise * Unhealthy/dry skin, hair, nails, and lips *Fatigue, or exhaustion As with many psychiatric illnesses, delusions can occur, in conjunction with other signs and symptoms, leaving the person with a false belief that is not ordinarily accepted by others. People with bulimia nervosa may also exercise to a point that excludes other activities. Interoceptive People with bulimia exhibit several interoceptive deficits, in which one experiences impairment in recognizing and discriminating between internal sensations, feelings, and emotions. People with bulimia may also react negatively to somatic and affective states. In relation to interoceptive sensitivity, hyposensitive individuals may not detect feelings of fullness in a normal and timely fashion, and therefore are prone to<unk>  more calories. Examining from a neural basis also connects elements of interoception and emotion; notable overlaps occur in the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior and posterior cingulate, and anterior insula cortices, which are linked to both interoception and emotional<unk> . Related disorders People with bulimia are more likely than people without bulimia to have an affective disorder, such as depression or general anxiety disorder. One study found 70% had depression at some time in their lives (as opposed to 26% for adult females in the general population), rising to 88% for all affective disorders combined. Another study by the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne on a cohort of 2,000 adolescents similarly found that those meeting at least two of the DSM-IV criteria for bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa had a sixfold increase in risk of anxiety and a doubled risk for substance dependency. Some with anorexia nervosa exhibit episodes of bulimic tendencies through purging (either through self-induced vomiting or laxatives) as a way to quickly remove food in their system. There may be an increased risk for diabetes mellitus<unk> 2. Bulimia also has negative effects on a person's teeth due to the acid passed through the mouth from frequent vomiting causing acid erosion, mainly on the posterior dental surface. Research has shown that there is a relationship between bulimia and narcissism. According to a study by the Australian National University,<unk>  disorders are more susceptible among vulnerable narcissists. This can be caused by a childhood in which inner feelings and thoughts were minimized by parents, leading to "a high focus on receiving validation from others to maintain a positive sense of self". A study by the Psychopharmacology Research Program of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine "leaves little doubt that bipolar and<unk>  disorders--particularly bulimia nervosa and bipolar II disorder- are related." The research shows that most clinical studies indicate that patients with bipolar disorder have higher rates of<unk>  disorders, and vice versa. There is overlap in phenomenology, course, comorbidity, family history, and pharmacologic treatment response of these disorders. This is especially true of<unk>  dysregulation, mood dysregulation, impulsivity and compulsivity, craving for activity and/or exercise." Studies have shown a relationship between bulimia's effect on metabolic rate and caloric intake with thyroid dysfunction.
types of Eating disorder
complications of Eating disorder
symptom of Anorexia nervosa
types of Mood disorder
symptom of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
risks of Somatization disorder
complications of Obsessive–compulsive disorder
symptom of Progeria