Effects of Bulimia

The methods used to rid the body of the eaten food are crucial in classifying bulimia into purging-type bulimia in which the Bulimia is considered to be a life-threatening condition that involves a dangerous cycle of excessive feeding followed by the use of compensatory measures to get rid of the large amounts of food eaten. Mainly, individuals suffering from Bulimia want to eat large amounts of food but have a deep fear of getting fat or appearing to be overweight and thus after binge eating, get rid of the food eaten to ensure that they maintain their desired weight and body shape. Interestingly, bulimia is not restricted to females alone-it affects all socioeconomic groups, cultural groups, and genders. This article pursues the thesis: Bulimia is an eating disorder that affects the victim in three main ways: physical effects, mental effects, and emotional effects take over the victim's life.

Some of the core symptoms of bulimia include shame and guilt. The binge-purge cycles that characterize bulimia include signs that prove that bulimia is not only an eating disorder but is also a mental health disorder. Some of the signs of binge eating include feeding to the extent of physical pain or discomfort, coming up with lies to cover for missing money or food, hoarding or concealing food, feeling helpless against the urge to eat once the bulimic starts to binge, and taking too many servings of food during a binge episode than in a regular meal (Boddington). After the binge episodes, the bulimic experience extreme shame and is disgusted with him or herself. On the other hand, many signs of purging are physically manifest.

For instance, damaged gums and teeth can be observed in the bulimic. The bulimic may also experience tingling in the feet and hands. The link between bulimia and psychiatric disorders includes the fact that bulimia shares risk factors with many mental health disorders. These risk factors include childhood sexual abuse, low self-esteem and male homosexuality (Rushing). Despite the presence of other risk factors including poor glycemic control among people with diabetes, participating in athletics, solitary eating and having jobs that focus on weight, such as modeling and acting, the psychiatric comorbidity stands out (Rushing). Patients suffering from bulimia also tend to suffer from affective disorders (over 70%), anxiety disorders (about 35% ) and major depressive disorder (Rushing). The kidneys are adversely affected by the prolonged malnutrition that characterizes bulimia and thus because of the resultant inefficiency of the kidneys in eliminating toxins and other harmful substances from the body, the kidneys tend to experience kidney failure or infection.

Also, heart failure is one of the most common causes of death in Bulimia because the use of different substances to facilitate purging including laxatives causes serious electrolyte imbalances which compromise heart function, lead to heart damage and ultimately, heart failure (The Ranch). Other circulatory manifestations of bulimia include severe headaches, fatigue, seizures and even high blood pressure. Also, another long-term effect of bulimia is osteoporosis, an irreversible bone disease characterized by severely reduced bone density (Smith). Bulimics as a result of the binge-purge cycle do not get enough nutrients to sufficiently develop their bones. html “How family and friends are affected. ” Eating disorders Victoria, August, 9th, 2017 https://www. eatingdisorders. org. au/getting-help/for-family-friends-and-carers/how-family-and-friends-are-affected “Long Term Health Effects of Bulimia.