Over the years, certain stereotypes have developed around eating disorders, including the idea that they primarily affect white women and girls. Of course, this isn’t actually the case. Disordered eating behaviors and the negative self-image and poor self-esteem that often drives them impact people of all genders, races, and ages.

Many people with one mental health condition will be diagnosed with a comorbid, or co-occurring, disorder. One of the more common comorbid diagnoses is bulimia nervosa (BN) and substance use disorder (SUD).

As science, medicine, and culture continue to evolve, more attention has been paid to the concept of addiction and the biological and psychological mechanisms that lead to these types of unhelpful, compulsive behaviors.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, you’ll likely want to enroll in a treatment program as quickly as possible. And while it’s important to get help in a timely manner, some time should be taken to consider the type of treatment facility you choose.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that can cause significant wear on the hands and the knuckles specifically, resulting in something called Russell’s sign (also referred to as “bulimia hands”). This occurs primarily because of the incisors repeatedly grinding against the skin when a person induces vomiting.

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods in biological women. 

Certain scenarios have been known to naturally bring about this condition, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain hormonal contraceptives, and menopause. But sometimes, amenorrhea is a sign of a deeper problem.

Eating disorders affect a small percentage of the overall population, but that still translates to millions of people who are impacted by these conditions. 

And research suggests that many more people silently struggle with an eating disorder without ever being officially diagnosed.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a mental health condition that manifests as disordered eating behavior. But it can also share many of the same characteristics of drug addiction.

Recent research has found similar connections in the brain that are activated when someone engages in a binging episode and when someone uses recreational drugs.

Eating disorder treatment is often covered by health insurance, but for some, the cost of treatment for an eating disorder is just too high.

Some patients may still get copayment or deductible bills, and they must pay monthly premiums to keep their plans intact. Others don’t have health insurance at all.

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.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder and mental health condition that commonly co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. 

When it comes to anxiety in particular, the condition can be complexly intertwined with BN, and either condition can lead to the development of the other. In fact, studies have shown that as many as 65% of people with an eating disorder also have an anxiety disorder. [1]

Eating disorders touch people of all ages, sizes, and orientations. But sadly, some groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, tend to be disproportionately affected by these conditions. 

As a whole, LGBTQ+ people struggle with eating disorders more frequently than those in the hetero-normative community. And many people identifying as LGBTQ+ face multiple treatment barriers.

Eating disorder treatment is covered by a large number of insurance policies. But most require families and their doctors to prove that care is needed; sometimes, care teams and insurance administrators disagree about how treatment should work.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) and anemia are often linked, with an estimated overlap rate of more than 11%. [1]

The disordered eating and behavioral patterns associated with bulimia nervosa can cause the body to become deficient in a variety of necessary vitamins and minerals. When the condition leads to a low iron count, it can lead to anemia.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) can cause a wide range of medical issues, including the swelling of certain glands. Glands in the throat and the face are often particularly impacted.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) can cause or aggravate a variety of gastrointestinal problems, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

The stomach condition is most closely tied to purging type bulimia nervosa, which is expressed when someone physically purges the contents of their stomach, through any variety of methods.

Though people tend to associate eating disorders exclusively with cis-gender women, these conditions impact people of all gender identities, including cis-gender men.

In fact, the number of males diagnosed with an eating disorder jumped up by 70% between 2008 and 2018. [1]

A variety of overlapping factors often cause eating disorders. 

And while biological influences account for many of the underlying causes of these conditions, exposure to media can impact body dissatisfaction, increasing the rates of disordered eating and playing a role in the development of an eating disorder. [1]

While research is ongoing, there have been some studies and reports suggesting a relationship between bulimia nervosa (BN) and acid reflux.

If left untreated, this type of digestive difficulty can eventually lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a fairly serious, chronic condition that can also cause further health complications over time.

Bulimia can impact the parotid glands, which are salivary glands that serve a number of important purposes. Repeated purging can cause these glands to swell, which can change the shape of the face and potentially cause other health complications.

Pro-anorexia websites and similar content represent a significant source of potential harm to people struggling with anorexia nervosa (AN) or those at risk of developing it. 

These sources spread dangerous misinformation and can encourage unhealthy ways of viewing one’s own body and the bodies of others.

Due to the physical impact of purging, bulimia nervosa (BN) has the potential to cause significant damage to the throat.

These complications can make it hard to talk and painful to swallow. And the repeated behavior can even increase the risk of esophageal cancer, a dangerous and potentially deadly condition.

Bulimia can cause significant damage to a person’s oral health, especially their teeth, mostly as a result of purging. 

And while it’s possible to stop or reverse some of these effects, the longer someone struggles with disordered eating behavior, the more at risk they become for imparting permanent damage.

Of all mental health disorders, eating disorders are often considered the most dangerous—and, sadly, the conditions often have a high mortality rate.

Many people with bulimia nervosa (BN) or other eating disorders misuse laxatives in the hopes of losing or controlling weight. But this practice is not only ineffective, it can also be dangerous.

It is possible for someone who presents as normal weight, overweight, or in a larger body to still struggle with anorexia nervosa (AN). This is called atypical anorexia nervosa, and a person can still experience most of the symptoms typically associated with AN.

Bulimia jaw is a term for a number of symptoms that can result from the purging aspect of bulimia nervosa (BN). It can refer to swelling, intense pain, and a misalignment of the jaw, and sometimes require surgery to correct.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental health condition that can profoundly change a person’s health over time.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) can be a dangerous or even deadly condition. But there are ways to help someone find the help they need to recover from the disorder.

While more research is arguably needed on the subject, Prozac is approved for the treatment of bulimia, although it works best when combined with other talk-based therapies.