Signs & Symptoms of Damage from Bulimia

Bulimia is a serious, life-threatening illness associated with disordered eating, depression and control, where excessive amounts of food are taken in and then purged, or vomited, quickly after. Bulimics hide their illness and it may not appear as if anything is wrong until the much more serious side effects of their disease surface.

Rotting Teeth/Gums

• Due to the acid from the vomit associated with bulimia, bulimics' teeth may rot and their gums may become infected/swollen. Sores may appear in the mouth and inside of cheeks. Bulimics' breath may smell of the recently purged food.

Skinned Fingers

• When a bulimic uses a finger to stimulate the gag reflex, the skin on that finger (between the nail and knuckles) can be skinned, raw and bleeding as a result of coming in contact with the teeth repeatedly.

Irregular Heartbeat

• Purging stresses the heart and may cause an irregular heartbeat in bulimics--rapid/racing heartbeat, slower heartbeat or feeling as if the heart is skipping beats. In the severest cases, a heart attack may result.

Loss of Period

• Bulimics may lose their periods (stop menstruating) because of the stress to the body. Further, if bulimics lose too much weight, their periods may cease.

Organ Damage

• Serious effects of bulimia include damage to vital internal organs, including the stomach and esophagus, which may rupture from repeated contact with the acid in vomit.