Bulimia Nervosa

Risk factors

Many people with bulimia suffer from clinical depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other psychiatric conditions. These problems, combined with their impulsive tendencies, place them at higher risk of suicide. 

The most common physical problem is erosion of tooth enamel caused by stomach acid in the mouth from vomiting, a protein-calorie deficit and weight loss.  When diuretics and laxatives are used, electrolyte imbalances and dehydration can occur which can cause cardiac complications. Diuretic and laxative use can cause loss of potassium which is needed for muscle and heart functioning. Cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat can result. The frequent use of ipecac to induce vomiting can cause heart failure or death. Irregularity of the menstrual cycles is common and there is a possibility of ovarian cysts which may cause infertility. 

If a woman with bulimia is pregnant, it may result problems like miscarriage, high blood pressure, low birth weight, depression after the baby is born etc.