Advice and Options
Bulimia is an eating disorder compels people to binge on foodand then purge through self-induced vomiting, diuretics orlaxative abuse, or excessive exercise. People with bulimia tendto feel guilty and disgusted about food and fat. Even thoughmost people with bulimia begin at normal weights, they think ofthemselves as fat. Roughly 90 percent of the people with bulimiaare women, and the disorder usually begins a few years afterpuberty. Genetics, social pressures, and emotional problems likedepression, low self-esteem, and extreme perfectionismcontribute to bulimias development.
Without bulimia treatment, people with bulimia become dehydratedand malnourished. This causes mineral and vitamin deficiencies,resulting in dry skin, nails, and hair. Many people with bulimiaare constipated from laxative abuse. Constant vomiting brings upstomach acid that irritates the throat and mouth. Many peoplewith bulimia have heartburn, gum infections, swollen salivaryglands, and cavities from the acid eroding tooth enamel. Withouttreatment, some of side effects, like kidney failure, can becomefatal. Dehydration can lower the bodys electrolyte levels,causing heart problems or even death. About 10 percent of peoplewith bulimia will die from it.
Bulimia, however,
is completely treatable. The sooner a personbegins bulimia treatment, the sooner the recovery. Successfulrecovery depends on the work of psychiatrists, doctors,dieticians, and the patient. Psychiatrists work with the patientto break the binge-and-purge cycles and to educate the patientabout what she is doing to her body and mind. The psychiatristand patient must identify the triggers of a binging-and-purgingepisode, as well as help the patient cope with an unhealthy bodyimage. The patient must learn to communicate openly and mustincrease his or her self-esteem. Doctors work with the patientto treat the effects of bulimias dehydration and malnutritionon the body. A dietician helps the patient develop healthyeating habits.
Group therapy and support groups are also helpful for peoplerecovering from bulimia. Information about many support groupscan be found online.
About the author:
Bulimia Info providesdetailed information about the causes, symptoms, and effects ofbulimia; bulimia treatment and recovery; the relationshipbetween anorexia and bulimia; and information about the “probulimia” viewpoint. Bulimia Info is affiliated with
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
