Symptoms

Behavioral symptoms include:

• Eating unusually large amounts of food at one time
• Feeling like eating is out of control
• Making yourself throw up
• Taking laxatives, enemas, water pills, or diet pills
• Excessive exercising
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Trouble controlling impulses
• Alcohol or drug abuse

Physical symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Menstrual problems
• Swollen cheeks and jaw
• Sore throat
• Swollen salivary glands
• Bloating
• Stained or chipped teeth, due to contact with stomach acid
• Cuts or scars on back of hands, from scraping skin on teeth during forced vomiting

Bulimia may lead to other problems, including:

• Dental and throat problems from stomach acid that rises during vomiting
• Changes in body chemistry and fluids due to vomiting and abuse of laxatives or water pills

Symptoms of these complications include:

• Dizziness
• Feeling faint
• Thirst
• Muscle cramps
• Weakness
• Constipation
• Irregular heartbeat
• Heart problems, including sudden death

People with bulimia have a high incidence of personality disorder and of treatable psychiatric conditions, including:

• Depression, often with rapid and wide swings in mood
• Anxiety and panic disorder
• Drug and alcohol abuse or dependence

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about:

• Your medical and psychological history
• The amount of food you eat
• The ways you to try to rid your body of food

The doctor will also perform a physical exam. They will check your teeth for signs of erosion.

Tests may include:

• Blood tests—to look for chemical imbalances
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)—to look for heart problems due to purging
• Drug screening—to check for drug use

EKG

Bulimia can lead to severe heart problems.

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

A mental health professional may also perform a psychiatric exam and/or psychological tests.