This is important because many people convince themselves that their eating behaviors are healthy because they do not fit the criteria for an accepted clinical eating disorder diagnosis. Frequently an eating disorder develops from an insidious process of moving from healthy to unhealthy food use without the individual's conscious intent or awareness of choosing to use food in that manner. Binge-purge behavior can harm many different areas of the body. Repeated vomiting can inflame, scar, and even tear the esophagus. The passageway can become so narrow that it's difficult for food to pass through or it can rupture, requiring surgery.
Vomiting can cause the stomach lining to become inflamed.
Sometimes a person breathes in the vomit, which can damage the lungs. People can break blood vessels in their eyes from forceful vomiting. The stomach acid can erode the teeth's enamel. Laxative abuse can damage the lining of the colon. The result may be bloody stools or ulcers.