title: Medical complications of self-induced vomiting.
abstract: Bulimia nervosa, often characterized by self-induced vomiting, is complicated by medical manifestations that affect nearly every organ system in the body. Effects range from superficial skin and dental findings to esophageal pathology, electrolyte abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias, and in extreme cases, death. Ultimately, cessation of vomiting is necessary to cure most associated medical complications. Improper management of medical complications may lead to significant psychological distress to the patient. Fortunately, efficacious treatments do exist both to ease symptoms and ideally help the patient make a smooth transition to cessation of self-induced vomiting behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mehler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology