Health
Problems Bulimia
What
is Bulimia
Nervosa?
It is only in the last 30 years
that bulimia nervosa has been recognised by doctors as an eating disorder
in it's own right. The term, bulimia nervosa, means literally 'the hunger
of an ox'. The hunger, however, is an emotional need that cannot be
satisfied by food alone. After binge-eating a large quantity of food to
fill the hunger gap, the person will immediately rid themselves of the
food they have consumed by vomiting or taking laxatives (or both), or they
will work off the calories with exercise. This is an attempt to prevent
gaining weight. Bulimia is more difficult to detect as the person often
will not lose weight so dramatically. In fact, even people close to them
at home or work may not recognise the illness and so it can persist for
many years undetected. Their chronic lack of self-confidence is often
hidden. For example people with bulimia may have high-powered jobs that
often demand them to be out-going and self-assured. As with anorexia,
people who develop bulimia rely on the control of food and eating as a way
of coping with emotional difficulties in their life.
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Signs
of Bulimia
A person is most likely to develop bulimia in their late teens to early
20s. They may have had - or go on to develop - anorexia. This sometimes
occurs because they believe bulimia will help them to diet successfully
where other attempts to lose weight have failed.
Physical signs of bulimia: -
- Frequent weight changes
- Disappearing to the toilet after meals in order to vomit food eaten
- Sore throat and tooth decay caused by excessive vomiting
- Swollen salivary glands making the face more round
- Poor skin condition
- Irregular periods
- Lethargy and tiredness
Psychological signs of bulimia: -
- Uncontrollable urges to eat vast amounts of food
- An obsession with food
- Distorted perception of body weight and shape
- Emotional behaviour and mood swings
- Anxiety and depression; low self-esteem, shame and guilt
- Isolation - feeling helpless and lonely
Behavioural signs in bulimia: -
- Bingeing and vomiting
- Excessive use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
- Periods of fasting
- Excessive exercise
- Secrecy and reluctance to socialise
- Shoplifting for food; abnormal amounts of money spent on food
- Food disappearing unexpectedly
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What is a
binge?
A person may begin to binge in an attempt to cope
with emotional difficulties or to ease tension but this can rapidly get
out of control. The foods they eat are generally high calorie, full of
carbohydrates and fat but under certain circumstances, the person may even
resort to eating frozen food. As he or she starts to feel full, feelings
of guilt and shame come into their mind. In desperation, they vomit or
take laxatives to purge themselves of everything they have consumed.
At this point, some people
describe feeling emotionally relieved and
physically light-headed. This cycle can keep inner pain and unhappiness at
bay - but only for a short time.
The frequency of these bulimic cycles will vary from person to person.
Some will suffer from an episode every few months whilst others who are
more severely ill, may binge and purge several times a day. Some people
may vomit automatically after they have eaten any food. Others will eat
socially but may be bulimic in private. Many people do not regard their
illness as a problem, whilst others despise and fear the vicious and
uncontrollable cycle they are in.
Signs of binge eating: -
- eating much more rapidly than usual
- eating until feeling uncomfortably full
- eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry
- eating alone because of their embarrassment at the quantities of
food consumed
- feeling ashamed, depressed or guilty after bingeing
- being unable to purge themselves of the food eaten
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Long-term effects of
bulimia
In a similar way to anorexia, bulimia
can take over the life of the person with the disorder, making them feel
trapped and desperate. Chaotic eating and dramatic loss of fluids can
cause physical problems, which can usually be corrected once the body is
nourished in an even and moderate way.
Although the dangers of anorexia are more apparent because of a
person's substantial weight loss or very low weight, bulimia can, in
extreme cases, be fatal due to, for instance a heart attack. An imbalance
or dangerously low levels of the essential minerals in the body can
significantly or fatally affect the working of vital internal organs.
Other dangers of bulimia include rupture of the stomach, choking, and
erosion of tooth enamel.
Source: Eating Disorder
Association
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