Bulimia & GERD: Causes, Signs & Treatment 

These behaviors can have a detrimental effect on the body, leading to, among other complications, a variety of gastrointestinal problems, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

What Is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that occurs when stomach acid or bile repeatedly flows back into the esophagus, the tube connecting the mouth and stomach. 

This most commonly happens when the lower esophageal sphincter—the muscle that opens and closes to allow food and stomach acid through—is damaged or does not work correctly. Generally, the damage or dysfunction will cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax when it is not supposed to, rendering it less effective.

Some common GERD symptoms include:¹

• Heartburn
• Regurgitation (when stomach contents come back up the esophagus and throat and/or mouth, which can cause a sour taste in the mouth)
• Nausea
• Chest pain
• Chronic cough
• Hoarseness
• Pain while swallowing
• Swallowing difficulties
• Signs of bleeding in the digestive tract
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent vomiting

Can Bulimia Cause GERD?

Some of the compensatory behaviors involved in bulimia nervosa can lead to GERD.

Repeated self-induced vomiting that occurs with purging-type bulimia puts stress on the esophageal sphincter and repeatedly forces it to work in reverse, which can cause much of the damage and weakness associated with GERD. Repeatedly exposing the muscle to regurgitated stomach acid can cause further damage.² 

If someone is already struggling with GERD, self-induced vomiting can also aggravate the condition, leading to more severe symptoms.

Still, it’s not just those who experience self-induced vomiting as part of their BN who are at risk of developing GERD. The binging and purging cycle involved in every case of bulimia nervosa can exacerbate the condition. That’s because these eating habits tend to cause an expansion of the stomach, which can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) problems, including chronic acid reflux.³ 

GERD and Long-Term Health Issues

While GERD is often uncomfortable and associated with some more immediate physical symptoms, the condition can also contribute to more serious health complications when experienced on a long-term basis. 

GERD can also contribute to additional eating issues, malnutrition, and unhealthy weight loss, which lead to further health complications that can even become life-threatening.

Seeking Help for Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially dangerous eating disorder that can have significant, or even fatal, medical complications if untreated. 

Eating disorders do not go away on their own and require highly specialized treatment. If you worry excessively about weight, body shape, and size and take action to “undo” the effects of eating, including through overexercise, self-induced vomiting, or abusing laxatives, or have a loved one who does, it may be time to seek professional help.

Treatment for bulimia involves a multidisciplinary approach that can include nutrition therapy, psychological counseling, and medical care. The exact treatment plan depends on each individual’s needs. 

While early intervention and treatment are ideal, a healthy, sustained recovery is possible.

But the most important thing to remember is that help is always possible. Seeking treatment for bulimia nervosa may not be easy, but it can help you or a loved one find a path toward a healthier and happier future.