An unusual cause of dizziness in bulimia nervosa: a case report.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The current article describes the case of a 23-year-old female with purging-type bulimia nervosa who was evaluated by her primary care physician for dizziness and lightheadedness.

METHODS:

After laboratory studies were performed by her primary care physician, the patient was admitted to the hospital because of severe anemia. The patient had been taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) at prescribed doses for shin splints that were secondary to jogging and developed gastric erosion.

RESULTS:

Endoscopic examination showed that she had diffuse gastritis with linear, streaky ulcerations throughout the body of the stomach.

DISCUSSION:

Lightheadedness is a common clinical symptom among individuals with eating disorders, but is typically related to dehydration, malnutrition, hypometabolism, and/or combinations of these factors. Clinicians need to consider NSAID use, which may cause erosive gastritis, blood loss, and lightheadedness.

• Authors: Randy A Sansone, Afia Naqvi, Lori A Sansone
• Journal: The International journal of eating disorders (Int J Eat Disord) Vol. 37 Issue 4 Pg. 364-6 (May 2005) ISSN: 0276-3478 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15856497 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Topics

• Adult
• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (complications, diagnosis)
• Bulimia (complications, diagnosis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Dizziness (etiology)
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage (complications)
• Humans