Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental health problem which can cause complex physical health outcomes. Here’s a thread of the possible physical complications that can occur from BN. An example of why mental and physical illness shouldn’t be viewed separately. #eatingdisorders

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Cardiovascular: Arrhythmia’s, cardiac failure or even sudden death. Low pulse, hypotension, irregular heartbeat beat.

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Renal system:

-severe oedema
-Electrolyte abnormalities: Hypokalaemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, metabolic alkalosis (from vomiting), metabolic acidosis (laxative misuse), hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcaemia.
- Renal calculi
- Renal failure.

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Gastrointestinal:

- Parotid swelling
- Dental erosion
- Oesophageal erosion/ perforation
- Gastric/ duodenal ulcers
- Bloating
- constipation.

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Skeletal:

- Osteoporosis
- Pathological fractures.

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Endocrine:

- Oligomenorrhoea/ Amenorrhoea
- (mensural problems/ disturbances)
- Also, check out the link between PCOS and eating disorders.

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Neurological (not including psychological symptoms):

- Generalised seizures
- Confusional states
- EEG abnormalities
- Peripheral neuropathies

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Haematological:

Leukopenia & Lymphocytosis

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Metabolic:

- impaired temperature regulation
- Hypercholestrolemia
- Hypoglycaemia

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Dermatological:

- Lanugo
- Brittle hair and nails
- Calluses on Dorian of hands.
- Dry skin

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Diabulimia (often forgotten about!!)

“An eating disorder in which people with type 1 diabetes deliberately give themselves less insulin than they need or stop taking it altogether for the purpose of weight loss”.

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Just to add: this is just some of my revision notes (on bulimia only) today. Please add anything I’ve missed .

This is a good visual read too: