What are the Symptoms of Bulimia?
by Thomas Morva
zone3
Bulimia is identified by two characteristic behaviors: bingeing and
purging. The person with bulimia then purges him or herself by inducing
vomiting, excessively exercising, or by using laxatives.
Bulimia is an eating disorder. People with bulimia usually have a
normal weight, but perceive themselves to be fat. Or they may feel intense
guilt or self-disgust when they eat. These feelings are so strong that
people with bulimia throw up much of the food they eat. Though men and
women both can develop bulimia, 90 percent of people with bulimia are
women. For most, bulimia begins in the teens, a few years after puberty
begins. Many people with bulimia are perfectionists or overachievers.
Bulimia is identified by two characteristic behaviors: bingeing and
purging. In a binge, a person eats more than 1,000 calories, which is
close to half the number of calories a typical person needs in a day. But
to a person with bulimia, a binge may be eating a piece of cake. People
with bulimia often binge on comfort foods like potato chips, cake, or
cookies. But after eating the food, the person is filled with guilt and
shame. The person with bulimia then purges him or herself by inducing
vomiting, excessively exercising, or by using laxatives.
A person in a binge-and-purge cycle will eat lots of food at one time.
A binge may be secret or planned. It could begin suddenly, cascading just
from a bite of food. Some people binge once a day; others may binge
several times a day. After eating, a person with bulimia will often go to
the bathroom for several minutes to vomit up the food. He or she might
abuse laxatives or diuretics, or exercise constantly. A person with
bulimia is overly concerned about weight and appearance.
Constant vomiting burns the esophagus, mouth, and teeth with stomach
acid. Many people with bulimia have symptoms like gum infections,
heartburn, or swollen salivary glands from the stomach acid. Their teeth
lose some of their enamel or get cavities. People with bulimia may also be
constipated.
Bingeing and purging is not healthy, and, as a result, many people with
bulimia are malnourished. They may be dehydrated and have low
electrolytes. Many people with bulimia have dry skin and brittle nails.
Most seriously, when blood potassium levels drop severely, can prove
fatal.
Bulimia may also be tied to self-esteem problems, stress, or
depression. Bulimia is completely treatable, but requires professional
help and support to break the bingeing-and-purging cycles.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bulimia provides detailed information about the causes, symptoms, and
effects of bulimia; bulimia treatment and recovery; the relationship
between anorexia and bulimia; and information about the “pro bulimia”
viewpoint. For more information go to http://www.e-bulimia.com/ and/or
visit our affiliate site at http://www.original-content.net/.
Bulimia; Original Content.
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