The Long-Term Health Effects of Bulimia
The effects of bulimia last much longer than the time it takes to cure a person from the eating disorder, which is generally characterized by episodes of binging and purging. Bulimia has a wide variety of immediate health effects as well as long-term to permanent problems. Many teens, prompted by the desire to lose weight or otherwise change their shape, become bulimic not realizing that they may be affecting their health for the rest of their lives.
Heart failure is one of the most prominent and deadly effects of bulimia. Purging (ridding the body of food through vomiting or alternative methods such as laxatives) places strain on the heart as well as causes an electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to a heart attack or arrhythmia.
Because they must work so hard to regulate the minerals in the body, the kidneys in bulimics are affected in the long-run. Kidney damage can be serious and even fatal.
Women who suffer from bulimia for a long time or to an extreme amount can cause their menstruation to stop. Sometimes this is irreversible, and the woman will lose the ability to have children.
Osteoporosis may occur in those who are bulimic and is irreversible. Osteoporosis happens when a person’s bone mineral density doesn’t reach the point it should when they’re a child or teen. It may also happen when a person’s body doesn’t get the vitamins and minerals it needs, such as Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous.
Teeth are also affected by bulimia due to stomach acid from vomiting; teeth can decay and even fall out.
Other long-term effects of bulimia include circulatory disorders such as high blood pressure, headaches, a feeling of fatigue and even seizures.
The psychological effects of bulimia can last for a very long time as well. Depression and anxiety are common in people with bulimia and often take years of counseling to combat. Some people live with bulimia their entire lives; it is a never-ending battle to stay healthy. Other psychological problems may result from bulimia, including self-destructive behavior. This may involve smoking or substance abuse, sexually promiscuous behavior, and self-inflicted harm (such as cutting).
It is important for a person with bulimia to seek professional treatment as soon as possible. This can help to head off any severe or long-term problems associated with the disease. Professional help is also a person’s best bet at fully recovering from the eating disorder.
Bulimia Articles, Videos & HowTos
It's important to recognize the symptoms of bulimiaso that you can begin treatment early. Bulimia can cause serious health conditions and even death.
It's important for parents to recognize bulimia signs and be aware of behavior that may be covering up a serious problem. When parents have concerns about their teen, it seems the last thing they will do to get the truth is to ask their teen directly. It's the natural way that parent-child relationships progress; kids are naturally more secretive during their teenage years.
The dangers in bulimia are many and exceed dramatic weight loss. In fact, many people with bulimia are able to maintain a normal weight. This can trick people into believing that bulimia isn't so bad, but the health risks associated with the eating disorder are quite severe.
Bulimia affects the whole body. But the most obvious effects it has is on the nervous system, mental state, gastro-intestinal, cardio system, kidney, skin, bones and the hormonal system.
Bulimia Nervosa is a long term disease. Recovery is often a hard and a long process with its ups and downs. That is why bulimia nervosa testimonials of recovery are interesting to read. You can always learn something interesting about how other people managed to beat this distorting body and sole disease.
It's important to recognize the symptoms of bulimiaso t...read more
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