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Bulimia, also known as bulimia nervosa, is a deadly and horrifying eating disorder in which an individual believes they are fat or overweight and lose weight through unhealthy and dangerous methods. These methods include self induced vomitting, excessive exercise, abuse of diuretics and laxatives, and sessions of binging and purging (consuming massive amounts of food and then forcing themselves to throw it back it up). Bulemia is extremely dangerous and in many cases deadly.
Most people with bulimia may seem perfectly normal and appear to be at a healthy weight. However, some people have such a low self-esteem and such a bad self-image that they turn to bulimia in an attempt to lose weight. Many women with bulimia are actually high achievers in other areas such as school or work, and may be trying to cover up their bulemia by succeeding in other areas. Just remembering, anyone can have bulimia. If you do, don't be embarassed. Treatment is available and help is out there. Keep reading!
Symptoms of Bulimia:
Someone with bulimia nervosa will suffer many side effects. Some of the short term effects that this eating disorder can cause include (but are not limited to):
Extreme weight loss over a short period of time
Malnutrition (due to extreme lack of food)
Depression and self-hatred
Headaches and bloodshot eyes
Fatigue
Obsession with body weight and appearance
If these aren't enough to scare anyone off from even attempting to lose weight through bulemia, lets look at some long term effects of this vicious eating disorder:
Tooth enamel breaks down due to constant contact with stomach acids when vomitting
Stomach ulcers
More prone to developing dental cavaties
Constant dehydration
Irregular heartbeat which can lead to heart attacks
Ruptures of stomach and esophogus
Higher chance of suicidal behaviors and feelings
It can be difficult to really know if someone has bulemia. However, if you are sure that someone you know and care about has bulemia, contact your doctor immediately. Confront the person about your feelings and try to help them. It's almost certain that they will be angry and embarassed, as well as try to deny that they have bulemia. However, you need to be stern and insist they get help. You could be saving that persons life. With the help of a doctor and a counsellor, almost anyone can be cured of bulimia.
By: Steve Urbick
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