Non-bulimia: food regurgitation in a patient with self-diagnosed bulimia.
The increased prevalence of bulimia has received great publicity by the news media. Such publicity predisposes individuals to self-diagnosis. A 57-year-old man with a 10-year history of food regurgitation presented to an eating disorder clinic complaining of bulimia, which he had heard discussed on a television talk show. He proved not to have bulimia but a large pharyngoesophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum. The diagnosis of bulimia may be misattributed to various symptoms by patients. The differential diagnosis of chronic regurgitation and vomiting must be considered in such patients.
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D004936:Diverticulum, Esophageal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014839:Vomiting / Q000175:diagnosis