Late End Stage Bulimia – Part 2

Loss of fluid from the body through laxative use or self-induced vomiting results in dehydration and low blood pressure. Late stage bulimia effects from long term low blood pressure is damage to the kidneys. The kidneys need an appropriate blood pressure in order to be perfused by blood and receive the nutrients and oxygen to continue life. Without these factors there is long term damage done to the organ.

Kidney damage and kidney failure is a life threatening late in stage bulimia effect. The kidneys are responsible for filtering out the waste products and toxins from the body. When they are damaged, these toxins remain in the body causing the sufferer to feel poorly and the toxins to damage the other organs of the body. This is a life-threatening problem.

The lack of blood pressure and fluids also result in low amount of vitamins and minerals which affect the health of other organs. One of the common necessary nutrients that is affected is potassium.

Potassium is a nutrient that is necessary for electrical stimulation of the muscles. It is one reason why the sufferers feel muscle weakness and fatigue. One of the muscles also affected is the heart. A lack of potassium will result in lethal heart arrhythmias and potentially death.

Bulimia also affects other aspects of the cardiovascular system by producing low blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor vascular perfusion, and heart disease.

At any time during the experience with bulimia the sufferer can also have problems with electrolyte imbalances from the dehydration, women can experience a miscarriage from lack of nutrition for the baby or teens can experience a retarded growth pattern resulting in a shorter stature.

Resources:

International Journal of eating Disorders: “End Stage Kidney” in longstanding bulimia nervosa

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16231363

Psychological Reports: Alexithymic Characteristics of Bulimia Nervosa in Diabetes Mellitus with End Stage Renal Disease

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9354117

MeTheDoctor: The Three Stages of Bulimia

http://www.methedoctor.com/stages-of-bulimia.htm

Vanderbilt University: The Physiology and Psychology of Bulimia

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/bulimia.htm