Vomiting can be harmful to the digestive system and can cause dehydration.
Exposure of the teeth to the stomach acid in vomit can also cause irreparable damage and tooth decay.
Diarrhea
Another jot down of purging is self-induced diarrhea.
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This is typically achieved by using laxatives to clear out the lower part of the digestive system.
Excessive Exercise
A less well-recognized form of purging isexcessive exercise.
Empty calories taken in through binges may not be adequate to build and repair muscle and bone.
And without carefully managing your fluid and mineral intake through the exercise process, you might risk dehydration orhyponatremia.
Typically, these drugs have a rebound effect, resulting in exhaustion after they wear off.
Are They Eating Disorders?
Help Available
Bingeing and purging are well recognized within the mental health system.
Talk to your family doctor about your concerns regarding bingeing and purging and get an appropriate referral.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GK.The medical complications associated with purging.Int J Eat Disord.
2015;48(3):341344. doi:10.1002/eat.22381
Fairburn, C. Overcoming Binge Eating.
New York: Guilford.
Kessler, D.The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite.
New York: Rodale.
