by Kevin Caruso
Bulimia, also known as bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder in which people "binge" and then "purge"
their food.
A "binge" occurs when people eat much more food that they need, or would normally eat.
A "purge" occurs when people use inappropriate and unhealthy ways to "get rid" of the food or burn off the excessive calories. Methods include vomiting, using laxatives, fasting, exercising compulsively, using diuretics, and using enemas.
Unlike anorexia, in which people look very thin and usually sickly, people with bulimia can look rather normal and maintain a normal body weight.
So, on a visual basis alone, it can be difficult to determine who is suffering from bulimia.
Additionally, the binging and purging are usually done in private, thus making it even more difficult to know who is suffering from bulimia.
As with anorexics, bulimics suffer from low self-esteem.
They also usually suffer from other psychological issues also.
And food is a way that they seek "comfort."
Bulimia is a serious health problem and requires immediate treatment.
Please become familiar with the symptoms and medical complications of bulimia.
Here are some of the symptoms and medical complications of bulimia:
- Binge eating
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Hair loss
- Erosion of teeth enamel (occurs becasue the vomit eats away the enamel of the teeth)
- Sore throat
- Frequent bathroom visits, particularly after meals
- Laxative abuse
- Diuretic abuse
- Substance abuse
- Bodyweight fluctuations
- Swollen glands
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats
- Broken blood vessels
- Abrasions on back of hands and knuckles
- Compulsive exercising
- Fasting
- Mood swings
- Clinical Depression
- Anxiety
- Severe self-criticism
- Fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily
- Self-deprecating thoughts following eating
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Edama (swelling)
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Low blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Muscle weakness
- Irregular heartbeats
- Avoidance of restaurants
- Loss of menstruation
- Irregular menstruation
- Peptic ulcers
- Pancreatitis
- Cathartic colon
- Parotid gland enlargement
- Gastric dilation and rupture
- Kidney damage
- Liver Damage
- Cardiac arrest
- Death
Remember, if you have bulimia you MUST get help now.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
Suicide.org
Founder, Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief
(Eating Disorder Help.com is a Suicide.org website.)
