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Attempts at vomiting put extra pressure on the blood vessels of the face and eyes and can cause them to burst in individuals who have bulimia nervosa (BN). The rich supply of blood and dense network of tiny blood vessels just under the skin’s surface of the face make the delicate skin around the eyelids a vulnerable site for the rupture of thin blood vessels.
Repeated purging due to bulimia may cause blood vessels in the eyes, eyelids, and surrounding tissue on the face to break. Bulimia broken blood vessels may also occur on the neck.
These show up as very small dots on the skin surrounding the entire eye. These dots are irregular and cannot be felt as a raised area on the skin. They are purplish in color. (1)
Purging may seem like it’s over once the bout is finished, but that’s when the side effects start.
Here’s are some problems that can happen as a result: (2)
Recovery times of each of these side effects varies. Below is an average estimate of how long recovery is expected to take:
Broken blood vessels from bulimia generally recover in 2-3 weeks. However, this may take longer if there is not enough protein or vitamin C consumption, because collagen and vitamin C are needed to produce new blood vessels.
You can recover from feeling faint in 1-2 days, if electrolyte replacement formula is used, or you can experience immediate recovery if taken to an emergency room for treatment.
To date, it is exceptionally difficult to regenerate enamel on the teeth. It’s the enamel that suffers erosion after purging. Because of this, teeth must be bonded with new polymers or veneers added. This is a very costly process, up to $15,000. However, new advancements in science using stem cells may bring better results. (3)
It takes months for nutritional deficiencies to return to normal levels. Intravenous treatments, which are expensive, may be needed, but they do not include all nutrients. Expect a turnaround time of 12 to 24 months for all levels to return to normal, with blood and hair test monitoring to confirm they are normal. Monthly costs could be $300 for supplements and another $200 for testing.
If taken to the emergency room, dehydration will be taken care of with oral or IV replacement fluids.
With correct treatment protocols, it may take 6 to 8 weeks to recover. But GERD could continue for years without the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Recovery from both throat and facial swelling caused by bulimia nervosa generally clear up in 2-4 weeks.
Recovery from mood swings can greatly vary. If mood swings are due to the nutrient deficiencies – B vitamins, vitamin D3, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids, it will take 2 to 3 months to stop them, if the correct supplements are taken. However, this is assuming that purging has stopped and there have been no relapses.
Since an irregular heartbeat occurs from electrolyte imbalances, it can be eliminated in the emergency room with the proper treatment of electrolytes.
Other heart problems can range in how long they take to recover, depending on the severity. The whole heart may need specialized treatment, which should result in progress within three months. Without treatment, heart medication may be necessary.
Treatment for purging eating disorders, like bulimia nervosa, must include highly specialized medical, nutritional, and psychiatric protocols simultaneously to address all facets of this very complex eating disorder. But recovery from bulimia is possible. And the very first step of recovery is to seek help.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
