Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
What medical complications and long-term effects can bulimia have?
The medical complications that result from bulimia are generally due to
continual bingeing and purging. The type of purging behavior used can have
varied effects on different body systems.
Self-induced vomiting can result in
oral complications. Repeated exposure to acidic gastric contents can erode tooth enamel, increase
dental cavities, and create a sensitivity to hot or cold food.
Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands (such as the parotid glands in the
cheeks) from repeated vomiting can also be a concern.
The esophagus and the
colon are the areas
most affected by bulimic behaviors. Repeated vomiting can result in ulcers,
ruptures, or strictures of the esophagus. Acid that backs up from the stomach
(reflux) can also become a problem.
As with anorexia nervosa
and other eating disorders, irregular menstrual periods or amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual periods) may result from
malnutrition or weight fluctuations associated with bulimia.
There are a number
of intestinal and systemic complications. The misuse of diuretics can create an
abnormal buildup of fluid (edema). Continual use of laxatives can result in
dependency on them and can cause the normal elimination process to become
dysfunctional. Loss of normal colonic function can
necessitate surgical intervention in some cases. Restoration of normal bowel
function may take weeks
after the misuse has been discontinued. The misuse of diuretics and laxatives
combined can place the bulimic at great risk for electrolyte imbalance, which
can have life-threatening consequences. The complex physical and chemical
processes involved in the maintenance of life can be disrupted with serious
consequences by the continuation of bulimic and purging behaviors. Additional
complications can affect an unborn fetus of a practicing
bulimic or the infant of an active bulimic mother. Psychological problems can escalate to serious
levels if untreated and interfere with the restoration of normal body functions.
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder and is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. With anorexia, the drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. There are psychological and behavioral symptoms as well as physical symptoms of anorexia including: depression, social withdrawal, fatigue, food obsession, heart and gastrointestinal complications, kidney function, flaky skin, brittle nails, and tooth loss (this list is not exhaustive).
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to suffer repeated obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms include irresistible impulses despite a person's realization that the thoughts are irrational, excessive hand washing, skin picking, lock checking, or repeatedly rearranging items. People with OCD are more likely to develop trichotillomania, muscle or vocal tics, or an eating disorder. Treatment for OCD includes psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication.
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that may be caused by many conditions. Antiemetics are drugs that treat nausea and vomiting. Though some antiemetics for motion sickness and mild nausea are available over the counter (OTC), most require a medical evaluation and prescription.
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, drug abuse, and more. Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that influence the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others. Mental illness is caused by heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stressors.
Characteristics of binge eating disorder include eating more quickly than usual, eating until uncomfortably full, eating a lot of food despite not being hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, and feeling disgusted by overeating. Depression may be a cause of binge eating disorder. Risks of binge eating include weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and some cancers.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
Fast food consumption and lack of exercise are just a couple of causes of childhood obesity. Health effects of childhood obesity include type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, gallstones, fatty liver disease, GERD, depression, and eating disorders.
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