Binge-eating disorder combines the health risks of binging with the potential health risks of obesity. Binge eating may increase the likelihood of many health problems.
Binge-Eating Disorder and Medical Problems
The more obvious health risks from binge-eating disorder focus on the cardiovascular system, a system which is stressed by being overweight (obesity is common, though not always present, in binge-eating disorder). Potential problems include:
- Cardiovascular/heart disease: Elevated triglyceride levels from binge eating contribute to this risk.
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- High cholesterol
Becoming overweight from binge-eating disorder can lead to other problems as well:
- Type II diabetes mellitus: Excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to insulin resistance. This, in turn, can ultimately become type II diabetes.
- Cancer: Obesity has been linked to increased risk of bowel, breast, and reproductive cancers.
- Joint damage from arthritis
Other medical problems may seem less obvious:
- Gastric rupture: In extreme cases, binge eating may stress the stomach beyond its capacity. The stomach can become eroded, perforated or ruptured.
- Gallbladder disease
- Edema: Too much water accumulation can cause swelling of soft tissues, often in the legs and feet.
Lowering Health Risks From Binge-Eating Disorder
The simplest remedy for health problems from binge-eating disorder may seem to be to stop binging. Neither is that easy, usually. Dieting is rarely a good answer: 95% of diets fail. Also, there are often emotional components of binge eating that must be addressed to help sustain any real lifestyle change. Find a dietitian or eating disorder counselor to give yourself the best chance at a new beginning.
Sources:
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. "Medical and Psychological Complications of Eating Disorders." At http://www.anred.com/medpsy.html (link now defunct). Accessed 25 August 2007.
National Eating Disorders Association. Health consequences of eating disorders. Accessed 18 August 2007.
ScienceDaily. Binge eating more common than other eating disorders, survey finds. Accessed 27 August 2007.
United States Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Division. Eating disorders. Accessed 25 August 2007.
