The dangers of eating disorder

American Fitness, Jan-Feb, 2002 by Ellen M. Shaw

Bulimia

Bulimia is an eating disorder in which the patient binges (consumes large amounts of food in a small amount of time) and then purges (rids the body of the food). The purging is most often performed in the form of self-induced vomiting, but may also take the form of laxative abuse, diuretics (water pills), excessive exercise, fasting or any combination of these methods. These acts of binging and purging are usually kept secret and may go undetected for years. It is reported that bulimia is much more common among adolescent girls than anorexia.

Bulimia is similar to anorexia in that both disorders center around an intense preoccupation with weight, dieting and food. However, while an anorexic desires to lose more weight, a bulimic's goal is to attain an "ideal" which is often an unrealistic clothing size, weight or body shape. For many, the most traumatic and painful part of the disorder is the constant obsession with food and weight. Bulimics often acknowledge their thoughts as unreasonable, irrational and uncontrollable. Moreover, they often surfer from anxiety and guilt over their inability to control binging and shame over their need to purge.

Binging

The average binge lasts approximately 1.18 hours and about 3,500 calories are consumed. After the binge, the person feels the need to lose the calories. The purge is an attempt to rid the body of the food and excess calories as well as relieve feelings of guilt aroused by their lack of control. This binge-purge cycle may continue for hours or may not occur again for days.

Continual binging may cause the stomach to stretch and possibly lose its ability to properly mix and/or propel food into the small intestine. Repeated binging and purging also creates a hazard for possible stomach dilation which may carry signs, such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Self-Induced Vomiting

The regurgitation of stomach acid can cause serious health problems. The lining of the esophagus is damaged by repeated exposure to hydrochloric acid--a condition that requires immediate surgical intervention. The acid also erodes the enamel that protects teeth. Many times, patients suffering from bulimia require extensive dental work or have their teeth removed and replaced with dentures.

The increase in pH levels, due to the loss of hydrochloric acid from excessive vomiting, also causes the body to be unable to maintain its natural chemical equilibrium. When this occurs, it may result in a state of alkalosis which can cause conditions from weakness and fatigue to headaches and anxiety. Also, the lack of those same stomach acids in urine makes the urinary system more susceptible to infections.

Stomach fluids contain essential minerals, such as potassium, calcium and sodium, which when removed from the body can cause an electrolyte imbalance. As a result, muscle cramps, weakness and irregular heartbeats can occur. Extreme electrolyte imbalances can interfere with the performance of the heart and result in death.