Eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa (BN), are complex mental health conditions, which are developed and driven by a number of factors. But some influences are more closely associated with these disordered thoughts and behaviors than others.

Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa (BN) are devastating and often debilitating mental health conditions, which often require extensive treatment to overcome. Unfortunately, the kind of treatment services generally needed for these issues are lengthy and expensive.

Eating disorders can be dangerous or debilitating mental health conditions, which frequently require extensive treatment to overcome.

Eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are complex conditions with physical, emotional, and mental origins and consequences.

As such, eating disorder treatment is often multi-faceted in order to address these varying causes and contributions.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious mental health condition with potentially dangerous consequences, but thankfully, it’s also one of the most treatable eating disorders.

Several types of therapy have been found to help people with BN reduce their eating disorder behaviors, so specialists may choose from several techniques when treating these patients.

Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) can be a challenging but effective way to confront situations that may trigger eating disorder symptoms.

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) and (BN) were once thought to be primarily socially driven, caused by factors like low self-esteem and a desire to keep up with certain beauty standards.

Many eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED), are marked by episodes of compulsive eating or eating large amounts of food even when not feeling hungry or already feeling satisfied.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is one of the newest entrants to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the list of all officially recognized mental health problems. But the condition is already considered the most common eating disorder in the United States. [1]

People who experience gender dysphoria (also referred to as gender identity disorder) may engage in these behaviors to try to change parts of their bodies to more closely align with their gender identity. These disordered eating behaviors can progress into a clinical eating disorder.

The COVID-19 crisis spurred a dramatic rise in online therapy, but even before the pandemic took hold, virtual mental health treatment was becoming increasingly popular.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bulimia nervosa (BN), it may seem like recovery is out of reach. But it is entirely possible to overcome the unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that drive this condition.

If you specifically have a health insurance policy through Aetna health insurance, you may be curious about what the company can offer you or have additional questions about Aetna eating disorder coverage.

Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), and binge eating disorder (BED), among others, are complex mental health conditions that can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Everyone overindulges every once in a while, but binge eating is different. These episodes are an extreme form of overeating, involving large amounts of food consumed in relatively short periods of time.

A binge eating episode can leave you feeling uncomfortable, but if this behavior starts recurring, it can lead to more concerning issues.

Eating disorders and substance use disorders frequently occur together. The conditions operate through similar genetic, biological, and environmental mechanisms, and often work in complex ways to maintain one another. 

It’s an unfortunate reality that bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), and many other eating disorders are often connected to a history of trauma, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being a common co-occurring condition with these illnesses.

Psychotherapy is a cornerstone of nearly all treatment plans for eating disorders. Through a series of sessions, trained mental health professionals can help you shed light on some of the factors behind your behaviors and teach you new, healthy coping strategies for moving forward.

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can manifest in any number of ways, causing a range of physical, behavioral, and emotional consequences.

Still, some of the most common eating disorders have a number of more-predictable symptoms. And learning to spot them can be crucial if you think you or a loved one may have one of these conditions.

An eating disorder isn’t just a person “choosing” to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors. It is a serious mental health condition which can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of therapy used for treating mental disorders of all types, including bulimia nervosa (BN). It has a heavy focus on restructuring how a person thinks, teaching them to redirect, and, eventually, eliminate negative thought patterns in order to engage in healthier behavior.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious mental health condition that can contribute to a number of consequences on someone’s physical and emotional well-being. And unfortunately, some studies have shown that one of the physical effects of BN is a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Research into the connection between the two conditions is still ongoing, and some unknowns about the specifics remain. However, what is known is that bulimia nervosa may be an important risk factor for esophageal cancer and numerous other health issues connected to the throat.

Does Bulimia Nervosa Cause Cancer?

Bulimia nervosa may not be a direct cause of cancer, but the additional stress it puts on the body—particularly that caused by self-induced vomiting—could make the body more vulnerable to developing cancerous cells. When found in the lining of the throat, the condition is called squamous cell carcinoma.

Bulimia can make the body more vulnerable to developing cancer.

The repeated presence of stomach acid in the throat can lead to microtrauma in the esophageal mucosa, or essentially tiny tears and other forms of cellular damage. This could eventually lead to issues like gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can further hurt the throat, and chronic physical damage. Similar types of damage have been previously associated with esophageal cancer.

Eating Disorders and Cancer

For people struggling with eating disorders of all types, there are also some factors that may lead to a higher risk of developing cancer.

People with eating disorders tend to be susceptible to substance use disorders, notably those related to smoking and alcohol. These are both noted contributors to cancerous cellular growth. [1]

Eating disorders also tend to lead to chronic nutritional deficiencies, and this has similarly been linked to the development of unhealthy cells or difficulty overcoming illnesses. 

Shared Risk Factors for Eating Disorders and Cancer

One study found a connection between disordered eating behavior and cancer that was strikingly high, with people who were previously hospitalized with an eating disorder having a six-fold increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. [1] However, researchers involved in the study noted some significant limitations of the findings, including a large number of overlapping risk factors between people with eating disorders and people who develop this form of cancer.

Those hospitalized with an eating disorder are 6x more likely to develop esophageal cancer. [1]

Indeed, the study posited that it was these shared risk factors that ultimately posed the greatest risk for people with BN going on to develop esophageal cancer, as opposed to the damage caused to esophageal tissue.

Are People in Recovery at Risk?

It’s difficult to estimate how long someone who has experienced bulimia nervosa or other eating disorders remains at an increased risk for developing esophageal cancer. The outcome depends on incalculable factors, from someone’s genetics and personal health history to the severity of their condition and other risk factors they may experience.

A Case Study

One case study found a woman developed esophageal cancer at 27 years old, nearly 10 years after her struggle with bulimia nervosa. [2] Again, however, lines get blurred when more details are considered. The patient, in this case, had also been a smoker for nearly 7 years and quit only shortly before her cancer diagnosis.

It may be so that chronic bulimia or chronic eating disorders—the terms used to describe more severe cases that last a year or longer—lead to a higher risk of developing cancer later on due to the increased time for microtrauma and severe malnutrition to develop.

Still, lacking further research, it’s unwise and inadvisable to make too many assumptions about why or how BN and other eating disorders can present a greater cancer risk.

Other Health Risks Associated With Bulimia

Unfortunately, esophageal cancer isn’t the only major health risk presented by BN. The condition has been linked to a number of symptoms and potential health consequences, including: [3]

Heart failure

Organ damage

Extreme mood swings

Dry skin

Yellowing skin

Dry and brittle nails

Dental problems

Sleep difficulties

Dizziness

Stomach cramps

Difficulty concentrating

Thinning hair

Muscle weakness

Poor wound healing

Weakened immune system

As BN primarily impacts the digestive system and causes nutritional imbalances in the body, this can cause a cascade of symptoms, which can lead to numerous health issues.

One of the biggest dangers of bulimia nervosa is the potential for a serious electrolyte balance, which can lead to death without any obvious warning signs. Similarly, BN can cause sudden cardiac arrest, which is often also deadly.

When to Get Help for Bulimia Nervosa

If you or a loved one are struggling with bulimia nervosa, it’s important to seek out help as soon as possible. By its very nature, the condition can make a significant impact on your physical and mental health, as well as your quality of life. 

If you’re not sure where to look for help, you can reach out to your physician or a mental health therapist. These trained professionals will be able to offer you advice about the best next steps and point you in the direction of qualified programs. A number of eating disorder hotlines also exist to help people access help and additional resources about these conditions.

Bulimia nervosa is a dangerous and potentially deadly condition, but it doesn’t have to be your destiny. Seeking out treatment can help you get on the path toward a sustained recovery and a happier and healthier future.

Resources

Brewster DH, Nowell SL, & Clark DN. (2015). Risk of Oesophageal Cancer Among Patients Previously Hospitalised with Eating Disorder. Cancer Epidemiology; 39(3):313–320. 

Shinohara ET, Swisher-McClure S, Husson M, Sun W, & Metz JM. (2007). Esophageal Cancer in a Young Woman With Bulimia Nervosa: A Case Report. Journal of Medical Case Reports; 1:160.

Bulimia Nervosa. (2018, February 22). National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved September 13, 2022.

“Diet culture” has made an increasing mark on society over the years.

While sometimes cloaked in the language of “wellness,” this system of beliefs and social expectations, in fact, revolves around the idea that there exists an “ideal” body type.

The specifics of how an eating disorder affects a person is based on any number of individual factors, including the types of eating disorders they’re struggling with, their medical history, and any mental health concerns, among others.

Eating disorder hotlines can offer a great extension of help for people struggling with these mental health conditions, or those who are looking for eating disorder treatment centers where they can find further help.

Virtual treatment for bulimia nervosa (BN), or virtual treatment for any mental health disorder, can offer high-quality care. For many people, there isn’t a tangible difference in virtual therapy sessions versus traditional in-person treatment.

Negative body image and eating disorders are closely related, with negative body image being one of the most well-understood precursors to the development of an eating disorder.

Food addiction is an issue we’re only beginning to understand and thoroughly research, but there are a number of resources that can help with this condition and other associated disorders.

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or in recovery, you may benefit from an eating disorder support group. There’s a variety of this type of help available, including online support groups and many free options.

Eating disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs) often coexist.

Researchers say up to 50% of people with diagnosed eating disorders use illicit drugs or alcohol, while 35% of people who are dependent on alcohol or drugs have an eating disorder. This represents rates 5 times and 11 times greater than what’s seen in the general population, respectively. [1]