How does the risk of bulimia nervosa compare to that of anorexia nervosa?

Answer 1

Although bulimia can sometimes be harder to detect than anorexia it can be just as harmful in both many similar and different ways.

It can leave you at risk for malnutrition which can be caused by both under eating or overeating. The word malnutrition indicates deficiency for energy, protein and micro nutrients (like vitamin A, iodine and iron) either singularly or in combination. This can lead to even greater health risks including (but not limited to) respiratory infections, kidney failure, blindness, heart attack and death.

Although both anorexia and bulimia leave you at great risk for becoming dehydrated, bulimia exposes your body to greater risk because the process of purging ( in most forms ) tends to drain your body of fluids. Once one becomes dehydrated they are exposed to even further symptoms including dizziness, weakness, or darkening of urine. This can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, seizures, brain damage and death.

It could cause edema which is swelling of the soft tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. aIt is most common abdominal area of bulimics fro laxative or diuretic use.

Like anorexics they are also at risk for electrolyte imbalance and more, but bulimics are especially at risk for some stuff that anorectics are not.

Bulimics especially are at great risk for tooth decay. Self induced vomiting could also cause tearing at the esophagus,it could even cause gastric rupture which is spontaneous stomach erosion, perforation or rupture. It could also leave you at risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Answer 2

Although the risk of death is not as high as for anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that leads to excessive weight loss.