Medical complications of bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa, a mental illness 4 times more common than anorexia is characterized by binge-eating followed compensatory purging behaviors, which include self-induced vomiting, diuretic abuse, laxative and misuse of insulin. Patients with bulimia nervosa are at risk developing medical complications that affect all body systems, especially the renal electrolyte systems. Behavior cessation can reverse some, but not all, complications.