An unusual cause of dizziness in bulimia nervosa: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
The current article describes the case of a 23-year-old female with purging-type bulimia nervosa who was evaluated by her primary care physician for dizziness and lightheadedness.


METHODS
After laboratory studies were performed by her primary care physician, the patient was admitted to the hospital because of severe anemia. The patient had been taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) at prescribed doses for shin splints that were secondary to jogging and developed gastric erosion.


RESULTS
Endoscopic examination showed that she had diffuse gastritis with linear, streaky ulcerations throughout the body of the stomach.


CONCLUSIONS
Lightheadedness is a common clinical symptom among individuals with eating disorders, but is typically related to dehydration, malnutrition, hypometabolism, and/or combinations of these factors. Clinicians need to consider NSAID use, which may cause erosive gastritis, blood loss, and lightheadedness.
Sansone
Randy A
RA
Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA. Randy.sansone@kmcnetwork.org
Naqvi
Afia
A
Sansone
Lori A
LA
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans