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What Causes Sharp Abdominal Pain When Suffering From Bulimia?

It is important to disclose that I have an Eating Disorder (Bulimia) to preface my question. I was purging, and felt a sharp pain in my lower left abdomen. It was only sharp for a second, and felt almost muscular, rather than internal, but that is purely speculation. When I touch the spot on my lower left abdomen now (10 mins after it happened), I do not feel pain upon pressing in or massaging the spot. I can feel it slightly when I stretch my arms above my head. I want to make sure that I didn t rupture my intestine, or something more serious than a muscle strain occurred. Is it possible that something more serious happened?
Mon, 13 Jul 2015
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for asking your query at health care magic.
I understand your concern. I am Dr Alok Sinha, MD Psychiatry from India. I will try to help you with best of my effort.

It is true that person suffering from Bulimia Nervosa have habit of vomiting repeatedly. Due to forceful vomiting sometimes there may occur tear of lower end of gastro-esophageal junction. It is generally associated with blood in vomiting. But this is unlikely in your case as there is no history of blood in vomiting.

At the time of forceful vomiting, there is sudden contraction of abdominal muscles. This may lead to muscle strain, causing sharp sudden pain at abdomen. This has exactly happened with you.

You also accept having pain on stretching arm. This further goes in the favour of having abdominal muscle strain, because due to stretching of arm abdominal muscles get stretched which may cause pain at the strain site. Intestine does not get stretched by stretching of arms.

So be assured, there is nothing serious, but you must treat the cause, the Bulimia Nervosa. I strongly suggest you to consult a psychiatrist at the earliest, who may treat you with some medicines and psychotherapy to treat your eating disorder.

I hope it answers your query. I wish you all the best.
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What Causes Sharp Abdominal Pain When Suffering From Bulimia?

Hello, Thanks for asking your query at health care magic. I understand your concern. I am Dr Alok Sinha, MD Psychiatry from India. I will try to help you with best of my effort. It is true that person suffering from Bulimia Nervosa have habit of vomiting repeatedly. Due to forceful vomiting sometimes there may occur tear of lower end of gastro-esophageal junction. It is generally associated with blood in vomiting. But this is unlikely in your case as there is no history of blood in vomiting. At the time of forceful vomiting, there is sudden contraction of abdominal muscles. This may lead to muscle strain, causing sharp sudden pain at abdomen. This has exactly happened with you. You also accept having pain on stretching arm. This further goes in the favour of having abdominal muscle strain, because due to stretching of arm abdominal muscles get stretched which may cause pain at the strain site. Intestine does not get stretched by stretching of arms. So be assured, there is nothing serious, but you must treat the cause, the Bulimia Nervosa. I strongly suggest you to consult a psychiatrist at the earliest, who may treat you with some medicines and psychotherapy to treat your eating disorder. I hope it answers your query. I wish you all the best.