Saturday, September 16, 2006
Bulimia - Bingeing and Purging
Bulimia, sometimes called bulimia nervosa, is another eating disorder (disease). Just like anorexia, bulimia is caused by a fear of gaining weight. 10% of college age women have bulimia and 10% of all people who it affects are men. Bulimia is characterized by two parts: the continuous processes of binge eating and then purging out the food. It is hard to determine whether or not someone is suffering from bulimia. This is due to because they usually look physically normal, bingeing and purging is usually done behind closed doors, and they will deny that their condition is even a problem.
The first part is binge eating, which is where a person eats a much larger quantity of food than the average person would in a similar situation. Binge eating is not a eating to satisfy hunger, but a response to depression, stress, or self esteem problems. While binge eating occurs, the person loses control. Sufferers of this sometimes consume up to 20,000 calories in one time period. Binge eaters may do so anywhere from twice a day to several times per day depending on preference. After binge eating occurs, there is a short-lived period of self satisfaction. Most times the foods of choice on which to binge are considered to be comfort foods. Comfort foods are usually foods that are sweet, high in calories, or smooth. Such foods include: ice cream, cakes, pies, and pastries.
After the period of self satisfaction ends, self loathing (feeling bad about yourself) occurs. At this time, the second part of bulimia occurs, which is the purging out food. Purging is using inappropriate methods to forcefully expel foods from the body at a faster than normal rate. The main methods of purging include: forcing vomiting to occur, fasting (not eating for long periods of time), enemas (rectally administered fluids that induce bowel movements), excessive use of laxatives (drugs that induce an emptying of the intestinal tract), excessive use of diuretics (drugs that force the kidneys to secrete more sodium inducing the discharge of urine), or compulsive exercising.
There are many medical complications that occur with bulimia. Excessive vomiting will cause acidic gastric contents to churn causing erosion of tooth enamel, dental cavities, a sensitivity to hot or cold food, swelling and soreness in the salivary glands, swollen glands in the neck and face, vomiting of blood, massive heartburn, and ruptures of the stomach and esophagus. Excessive usage of laxatives and diuretics can cause stomach ulcers (holes in the stomach walls), bloating, indigestion, constipation, abnormal buildup of fluid in the intestines, disruption of normal bowel release functions, and dehydration (loss of water).
The disease of bulimia as a whole can cause a decrease in libido (sexual desire), physical weakness, bloodshot eyes, exhaustion, and an abnormal heartbeat to occur. In very serious cases, 10% of people with bulimia will have a heart attack. The self loathing period that occurs can lead to suicidal thoughts as well. Bulimia is mental health issue and is treatable by properly trained professionals. Please, if you suffer from bulimia or know of a friend or loved one who does, get the help you or the one you wish to help needs before it is too late.
The first part is binge eating, which is where a person eats a much larger quantity of food than the average person would in a similar situation. Binge eating is not a eating to satisfy hunger, but a response to depression, stress, or self esteem problems. While binge eating occurs, the person loses control. Sufferers of this sometimes consume up to 20,000 calories in one time period. Binge eaters may do so anywhere from twice a day to several times per day depending on preference. After binge eating occurs, there is a short-lived period of self satisfaction. Most times the foods of choice on which to binge are considered to be comfort foods. Comfort foods are usually foods that are sweet, high in calories, or smooth. Such foods include: ice cream, cakes, pies, and pastries.
After the period of self satisfaction ends, self loathing (feeling bad about yourself) occurs. At this time, the second part of bulimia occurs, which is the purging out food. Purging is using inappropriate methods to forcefully expel foods from the body at a faster than normal rate. The main methods of purging include: forcing vomiting to occur, fasting (not eating for long periods of time), enemas (rectally administered fluids that induce bowel movements), excessive use of laxatives (drugs that induce an emptying of the intestinal tract), excessive use of diuretics (drugs that force the kidneys to secrete more sodium inducing the discharge of urine), or compulsive exercising.
There are many medical complications that occur with bulimia. Excessive vomiting will cause acidic gastric contents to churn causing erosion of tooth enamel, dental cavities, a sensitivity to hot or cold food, swelling and soreness in the salivary glands, swollen glands in the neck and face, vomiting of blood, massive heartburn, and ruptures of the stomach and esophagus. Excessive usage of laxatives and diuretics can cause stomach ulcers (holes in the stomach walls), bloating, indigestion, constipation, abnormal buildup of fluid in the intestines, disruption of normal bowel release functions, and dehydration (loss of water).
The disease of bulimia as a whole can cause a decrease in libido (sexual desire), physical weakness, bloodshot eyes, exhaustion, and an abnormal heartbeat to occur. In very serious cases, 10% of people with bulimia will have a heart attack. The self loathing period that occurs can lead to suicidal thoughts as well. Bulimia is mental health issue and is treatable by properly trained professionals. Please, if you suffer from bulimia or know of a friend or loved one who does, get the help you or the one you wish to help needs before it is too late.
