Lower Esophageal Sphincter Damage From Bulimia: What Can Fix It?
Bulimia is a poorly misunderstood eating disorder centered around purging habits where someone does not allow their food to digest and instead induces vomiting or abuses laxatives. Eating disorders are a common issue that sufferers often don’t report or see a doctor for.
Eating disorders are notoriously hard to treat, and experts estimate that it takes around 7 years to fully recover from unhealthy binging and purging habits. An eating disorder is typically a coping mechanism for some other psychological issue in the person’s life. Many find that addressing the underlying issue can relieve some of the pressure to lose weight.
One of the reasons why eating disorders are so hard to quick is due to the ease with which bulimics and anorexics can induce vomiting.
Most bulimics start purging by sticking their fingers or another object down their throat, activating the body’s gag reflex. Over time, the body becomes used to vomiting multiple times a day, and the stomach contents constantly passing up through the esophageal sphincter cause it to loosen. Eventually, all a bulimic has to do is bend over to make themselves purge. The vomit flows freely into the esophagus and mouth.
The gradual weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter causes frequent acid reflux and difficulty swallowing. For someone who is already addicted to not keeping their food down, this just fuels the habit by making it so easy.
Those who are recovering from bulimia find their weakened lower esophageal sphincter a big hurdle to overcome. Many who are determined to avoid slipping into their old ways are confined to swallowing their vomit back down. Luckily, our ENT doctor in Los Angeles has a method to heal the loose muscle.
A LINX device can be installed around the lower esophageal sphincter to keep it closed. This band will prevent the backward flow of stomach contents, and our patients who suffer from acid reflux report great results.
Speak to an acid reflux specialist in Los Angeles to learn how your loose lower esophageal sphincter muscle can be tightened. Our doctors are here to help you heal.