Bulimia

Although most bulimics vomit or use laxatives to purge food from the body, some people with this eating disorder will alternate binge eating with fasting or periods of excessive exercise. This behavior is called non-purging bulimia and carries many of the same negative side effects.

Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia

The following signs may indicate that someone is suffering from bulimia:

• Consuming large amounts of food, with little or no visible weight gain
• Eating alone to avoid eating meals with friends or family
• Frequent trips to the restroom after meals
• A sudden change in food preferences
• Bad breath or frequent use of mints and gum to cover up the smell of vomit
• Bleeding gums or discolored teeth
• Complaints of stomach pain

The following symptoms can indicate either bulimia or anorexia:

• A strict exercise regimen or exercising to the point of physical exhaustion
• Poor body image
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods

People who are unfamiliar with eating disorders sometimes confuse bulimia and anorexia. However, these are two separate illnesses. While a person with bulimia will binge on large amounts of food, an anorexic will eat only a small amount of food. Also, anorexia usually results in a much more noticeable weight loss, making it an easier eating disorder to detect.

Causes

While the number of people diagnosed with bulimia has increased in recent years, there is still a debate about what causes this condition. Eating disorders do appear to run in families, although no concrete “bulimia gene” has been found. However, most experts agree that the following traits put a person at a greater risk for bulimia:

• Difficulty controlling anger or other emotions
• Trouble coping with a new job, a bad breakup, or other major life transitions
• A tendency towards perfectionism
• A tense, fearful, or anxious personality
• A history of trying many different diet plans
• A belief that one must be thin at any cost

Sometimes, women who were physically or sexually abused as children may develop bulimia, anorexia, or other eating disorders as adults. However, the presence of an eating disorder does not automatically mean that abuse has taken place.

Although approximately 80% of bulimia patients are female, the disease can affect men as well. In fact, men who were overweight as children and those who participate in wrestling or other sports that encourage a slim build are at a higher risk for developing eating disorders.

Long-Term Consequences

Although bulimics often think they’ve stumbled upon the “perfect” weight control plan, bulimia is not a fad, a lifestyle, or a dieting tool. It’s a serious illness that requires nutritional counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and counseling.

Without treatment, people suffering from bulimia are at risk for the following health problems:

• Chronic fatigue and/or muscle weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dehydration
• Anemia
• Severe abdominal cramping
• Cavities, gum disease, or other dental problems
• Fertility problems causes by missing or irregular menstrual cycles
• Depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders

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