Medical consequences of bulimia. People with bulimia are often of normal weight, so do not necessarily suffer the consequences of self- starvation that affect as anorexics. However, the activity of bingeing and purging can severely interfere with the body's function and damage vital organs, as follows:
* Vomiting, laxatives and diuretics flush sodium and potassium from the body, resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. The result may be arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), which can ultimately lead to heart failure and death.
* The stomach acids in vomit, passing through the mouth, can erode tooth enamel, causing cavities, discoloration and eventual tooth loss.
* Self-induced vomiting can irritate or tear the lining of the throat, esophagus and stomach.
* Laxative abuse can create a physical dependence and result in an inability to have normal bowel movements.
* Abuse of emetics to induce vomiting can result in heart failure and death.

Medical consequences of binge eating disorder. Bingeing alone, even without purging, has consequences of its own:
* High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and elevated triglyceride levels can cause hardening of the arteries, heart disease and heart attacks.
* Eating large quantities of simple carbohydrates -- sweets and junk food -- in a short period of time places stress on the pancreas, which produces insulin to help the body process food. At first this may cause abnormal low blood sugar. Later in life, diabetes can result.