Bulimia Nervosa: Complications GASTROINTESTINAL • Dehydration & inability to digest food -> Constipation • Recurrent vomiting exposes esophagus and stomach to gastric acid inflammation -> Acid reflux and ulcers • Vagus nerve damage from frequent vomiting -> decreased stomach motility and digestive enzyme activity -> Gastroparesis • Mallory-Weiss Tears: small tears in the esophagus -> Esophageal Damage • Boerhaave syndrome: rupture in the esophageal wall -> Esophageal Damage ENDOCRINE • Binging on foods high in sucrose and fatty acids elevated blood sugars -> T2DM and Insulin Resistance • Absence of a period in females due to lack of nutrients, hormonal imbalances (low FSH and LH levels) and vitamin deficiencies. This can also lead to long-term fertility problems -> Amenorrhea & Infertility • Lack of nutrients (e.g. Calcium, VitD) and lowered hormone levels cause bones to become brittle and break -> Osteopenia/Osteoporosis RENAL & ELECTROLYTES • Hypokalemic nephropathy and diffuse glomerulosclerosis from long-term electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition -> Kidney Damage • Vomiting may lead to metabolic alkalosis (loss of from stomach) • Laxative abuse may lead to metabolic acidosis (loss of HCO3- in diarrhea) • Overall: hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hypernatremia CARDIOVASCULAR • Electrolyte abnormalities can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest -> Arrhythmias/Sudden Cardiac Arrest #BulimiaNervosa #Complications #pathophysiology #diagnosis #signs #symptoms #psychiatry
