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Dealing with Crohn’s Disease and Bulimia
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
Many individuals who struggle with bulimia nervosa typically suffer with severe digestive symptoms, often resulting from recurring behaviors of binging and purging. Eating abnormally large quantities of food in a short period of time and subsequently purging afterwards can be damaging to the entire digestive system.
Depending on the frequency of these behaviors and the type of purging method used, whether self-induced vomiting, excessive laxative or diuretic use, complications associated with bulimia may be more severe than others.
Bulimia Can Increase Complications of Crohn’s Disease
For a person with a pre-existing digestive disorder, bulimia and the symptoms of this eating disorder can cause further complications. Crohn’s disease is such a disease that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
The inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere along the digestive tract though is commonly seen in the small intestine of the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can be quite uncomfortable and painful and may include cramping, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness or fatigue, loss of appetite, joint or back pain and more.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that can cause lifelong symptoms. Many people with Crohn’s disease will experience periods of remission, in which inflammation in the digestive system is decreased and symptoms become more mild or nonexistent. There may also be periods of time in which a person experiences “flare-ups”, or an increase in symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Those Struggling with Crohn’s Disease and Bulimia Should Seek Medical Help Immediately
Crohn’s disease is a serious gastrointestinal complication that can be severely worsened by behaviors connected with bulimia. If you have been struggling with both Crohn’s disease and bulimia, it is crucial to seek out appropriate medical care and attention as soon as possible.
While in treatment and recovery for bulimia, it is important that your doctors understand your history with Crohn’s disease and collaborate with any physicians who have been treating you for this condition, such as a gastrointestinal doctor.
Effectively managing and addressing bulimia can help a person with Crohn’s disease better heal, recover, and ultimately manage this digestive disorder. Work with a specialized treatment team to assist you through the process of recovery and healing.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
If you have struggled with Crohn’s Disease while also dealing with bulimia, what treatment resources were helpful to you in your recovering and in effectively managing these disorders?
Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 14, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
