Thursday, 12 February 2015

The Eating Disorder Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder which leads to instances of binge eating accompanied by purging to lose excessive food items. Purging may include self-induced vomiting, intense exercise or the abuse of laxatives or other treatment so that they can make up for binge eating. With no treatment, bulimia could potentially cause damaging health effects to the digestive tract as well as other organs. 

 In some instances, bulimia can be deadly.Individuals with bulimia who purge via self-induced vomiting are at higher chances for dental problems and gingivitis. Repetitive contact with abdominal acids can deteriorate tooth enamel, tarnish the teeth and result in chronic gum swelling. Nausea, laxative mistreatment and excessive exercise can also cause dehydration and dry mouth, which encourage tooth decay and gum disease. Individuals with longstanding bulimia also generally develop swelling of the salivary glands, leading to swollen-appearing cheeks.

Self-induced sickness and laxative abuse can result in a number of side effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Chronic vomiting can bother and deteriorate the lining of the esophagus, the tube that bears food from the mouth to the abdomen. The esophagus may hemorrhage or rip, and acid reflux is common. Bleeding from the esophagus can impact bowel motions, resulting in dark, tar-like stool. Rectal bleeding can happen because people with bulimia are likely to experience critical bowel problems, especially when abusing laxatives. Stomach ulcers, slow stomach draining and swelling of the pancreas, called pancreatitis, are other probable digestive problems of bulimia. 


Repeated instances of binge eating and purging can harm the heart and kidneys. Chronic dehydration because of bulimia places added force on the kidneys and, in extreme instances, may result in kidney failure. Even without serious dehydration, individuals with bulimia are prone to electrolyte disruptions in the blood. Electrolytes, like potassium, are elements that help control muscle contraction through the entire body, including in the heart.

This eating disorder condition have short-term and long-term effects on the sufferer emotionally and physically. There are a lot of cases that this disease leads to death. Bulimia treatment and recovery is possible as long as there are some intervention from experts and family members. However, it is the patient who will make her recover not any other person. This disease is more personal than any other diseases. This makes it a battle between the sufferer and bulimia. If the bulimic person chooses to get well and recover, she will be able to do it with discipline and persistence. 

This site aims to help bulimic people to recover from the condition. We offer free resources and relevant studies to keep you updated of the latest treatment and approach towards bulimia recovery.