Prolonged, induced vomiting, as is the case with bulimia, has profound negative effects on the body. To begin with, it affects the lining of the esophagus that gets damaged from stomach acid. The teeth begin to rot and menstruation may stop, leading to infertility. Weight loss is also inevitable.
Vomiting for prolonged periods can cause a metabolic alkalosis, since the fluids you are vomiting are acidic. Usually, the body will respond by losing more bicarbonate in the urine and by causing the respiratory rate to slow, so to retain more carbon dioxide.
Prolonged vomiting can lead to several respiratory issues, primarily due to the potential aspiration of vomit into the lungs, which can cause aspiration pneumonia. Additionally, vomiting can result in electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, potentially affecting the body's overall metabolic function and respiratory drive. The increased intra-abdominal pressure during vomiting may also impair diaphragmatic movement, hindering effective breathing. Overall, sustained vomiting can compromise respiratory function and increase the risk of respiratory complications.
Vomiting can cause clammy skin. When one vomits, it depletes the body of nutrition and electrolytes. This may affect the appearance and feel of skin.
Vomiting is a natural reflex triggered by the ingestion of toxins. This reflex is an important one to ensure that recognized toxins are expelled from the body before they enter the bloodstream and circulate to peripheral organs where they may incur greater damage. In this sense, vomiting is an important mechanism not to "cleanse" the body, but to ensure it doesn't "get dirty". In addition to the natural vomiting reflex, we can initiate vomiting in other circumstances. Individuals with eating disorders, for example, may induce vomiting to stay thin. In this sense, vomiting is not at all protective. In fact, if vomiting is induced frequently for a sustained amount of time, it can severely damage the individual.
Water-induced thermogenesis is the process by which the body burns calories to heat up water that has been consumed. This can increase metabolism and energy expenditure, leading to potential weight loss.
She would probably be diagnosed as bulimic.
Psychosomatic vomiting occurs due to a psychiatric condition. Stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses/ afflictions can show their symptoms through the body in the form of pain, tight muscles, nausea/ vomiting, headaches, etc. the word psychosomatic means "psycho"= mind, and "somatic"= body. This acknowledges the link between how things in our mind affect how our body feels and functions.
Body Dysmorphia is what is commonly referred to as a "distorted body image." It often leads to Anorexia Nervosa (self-starvation) or Bulimia (binge-purge). Bulimics starve themselves for a time, then binge on huge quantities followed by self-induced vomiting. The acid from their vomiting eventually erodes/eats the enamel on their teeth, their gums and their esophagus. Fatal bleeding can result from this.
The temperature of a patient with acute pain may increase due to the body's stress response and inflammation that can accompany pain. However, if the pain is severe and prolonged, it can also lead to a decrease in body temperature as the body may enter a state of shock or stress-induced hypothermia.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The disease can be fatal in infants, the elderly, and individuals with a weakened immune system.
Yes it does
No. It is a useful function of the body.