Bulimia Effects - Not Just Physical, Emotional Too



Posted: Monday, July 14, 2008

by
Deep Dive Media

Tina Dunaway was 18 when she started binging and purging. The stresses of senior year seemed overwhelming, her boyfriend broke up with her, and she was rejected by her first college pick. Purging to prevent weight gain is a way for people - usually young women with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and to ease stress and anxiety.

Classified as an eating disorder, bulimia can be much more difficult to spot than anorexia.   People with bulimia are usually of average or slightly above average weight and the signs aren't always clear. Chronic bingeing and purging leads to many health problems-some of which are life-threatening. For many, the side effects of bulimia - while dangerous - are mostly unseen. The teeth and mouth are often affected, though others might not notice. Frequent vomiting brings up stomach acid into the mouth, eroding teeth enamel. Cavities and gum infections are common in people with bulimia. The stomach acid also irritates the esophagus, producing heartburn, and the salivary glands, making them swell.

Other common medical complications and adverse bulimia effects include internal physical damage, such as chronic irregular bowel movements due to abusing laxatives.   The most dangerous side effect of bulimia is dehydration due to purging. Vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, most commonly in the form of low potassium levels. Low potassium levels trigger a wide range of symptoms ranging from lethargy and cloudy thinking to irregular heartbeat and death. Chronically-low levels of potassium can also result in kidney failure.

The emotional side effects of bulimia may include:

    * Overwhelming sense of isolation
    * Feelings of shame and guilt
    * Depression symptoms
    * Low self-esteem.

Because bulimia is the result of a variety of psychological, cultural, familial and biological causes, curing it is rarely simple. It requires professional assistance to treat effectively. Ten percent of people with bulimia eventually die from its effects, usually from the electrolyte imbalance caused by dehydration.

More Info: Bulimia Effects
John Bell is a contributing writer to a number of health related and alternative energy related sites. He has 12 years of experience in Healthcare including Diagnostics, Drug Discovery and Emergency Medicine.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Susan Thom
 3 years 208 days ago.
175 fans.
hi john, i am the mother of 3: 16, 21, and 23. i have witnessed a lot bewtween them and each having 5-7 friends always here. it makes my heart break that our mistakes (meaning mine) of the 70's and up, ended in their depression and feelings of guilt and shame. i know i am guilty of it simply by not getting along with their father, and now going through a divorce. i talk to my kids, and we're pretty close, but depression has affected us all. and we all seem to deal with it in our own way. thanks for a well written, informative article, and i hope you keep writing, best regards, sue thom
» left by Dana Jones from Philadelphia MS 39350 3 years 6 days ago.
no not really i am a 16 year old girl that i always make my self throw up after i eat only because i do not wanna get fat no one understands the way i feel about myself its all because of my boyfriend
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