There are many health effects of bulimia and I'd like to address the more common ones in this article.
Bulimia is an eating disorder where people who have developed it binge on food and then purge it. Binging is another way of saying "eats a lot at one time" and purge is just another way of saying "to get rid of", usually through the methods of vomiting or using diuretics or laxatives.
Some may use another methods of purging which is to exercise excessively.
A commonality among those with bulimia is that they tend to be "people pleasers". They tend to want others to be happy, sometimes to the extent of it being more important than pleasing themselves. They can be perfectionists who stress easily or get depressed when they don't think that they themselves are "perfect".
Bulimia and the other eating disorders are also genetic and can run in families. Society and its "messages" of what the perfect person should look like also may contribute to the development of bulimia.
Although there are many effects of bulimia, one of the more obvious ones is what it can do to the teeth and mouth.
Those that purge by vomiting bring up acid from the stomach up through the esophagus and into the mouth. That acid erodes and eats away at the natural tooth enamel.
Gum infections, cavities, and sores are also common with those bulimics who purge by vomiting.
The esophagus may become irritated by the stomach acids traveling upwards towards the mouth and can produce heartburn. The throat, mouth, and salivary glands may swell causing discomfort.
Those are just a few of the effects of bulimia. Depending on what type of purging is done, different effects may take place. Length of time indulging in bulimic behavior will also affect what health conditions may occur.
Those that purge with the laxative method tend to be often constipated. Their bowel movements are not regular and can be difficult.
Improper nutrition is another factor with bulimics that does not help the body's health.
Those with bulimia tend to be undernourished which can affect the hair, nails, and skin health.
Bulimics may have chronic kidney problems due to mineral and vitamin deficiencies. These chronic kidney problems may even lead to kidney failure.
They may become dehydrated. Being dehydrated and having poor nutrition may lower their body's electrolytes, which may cause irregular heartbeats or heart problems.
If the potassium level drops drastically enough, it can cause cardiac arrest and result in death. As you can see, the effects of bulimia can be very serious and even life threatening.
Bulimics are often tired and lethargic which doesn't allow for peak performance levels. Having bulimia puts a lot of stress on your physical and mental well being so you start to function at lower and lower levels the longer you have bulimic behaviors.
Another common factor with bulimics is low self-esteem, no self confidence, depression, and, as mentioned above, perfectionism.
It's not only the person with bulimia who gets affected, but the whole family and, often, close friends. It has a domino effect in that it keeps reaching out to all of the people who have contact with the eating disorder sufferer.
Bottom line, if you, or someone you know, has bulimia, get the information you need now to start getting help. Different persons need different treatments, but you don't know what you need until you seek help. There are too many serious health effects of bulimia, please, don't wait, reach out to someone NOW and get started on the road to recovery.
As a recovered bulimic, I can certainly sympathize with those going through an eating disorder or helping another who has a disorder. The people who develop these disorders are usually extremely intelligent, creative, and very eager to please others. So much so that they try to please others before they please "themselves".
Those with eating disorders need your help and support. They need to get started on a treatment to turn their lives around to a more positive one, one where they can be confidant in themselves and develop a self-esteem that will booster their self worth.
They need HELP, not judgment!
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