It is undeniable that we live in
a world where the image is more important than ever before. With media and popular
culture constantly promoting what the ideal "look" and
"body" should be, it comes as no surprise that young people,
particularly young women, feel increasingly pressured to live up to these
images of perfection.
This gives rise to the prevalence
of body image issues - in particular, eating disorders. One of the most common
eating disorders is bulimia nervosa. Individuals with bulimia will overeat, in
what is referred to as binge eating, or even normally, but then will purge - or
vomit - the food out later on.
They may also practice excessive
exercising or go for long periods without eating to "make up" for the
calories they consumed during the binge session. These habits make bulimia one
of the most serious and dangerous illnesses afflicting people today.
One of the reasons this is so is
that these habits can lead to various adverse effects on the
individual. Here are some of them:
Short-Term Physical Effects
The vicious cycle of binging and
purging can take an extreme physical toll on the body. Immediate effects of
bulimia can include electrolyte imbalances due to the sodium and potassium lost
during purging, which can also cause dehydration. Bulimics are also at risk of
developing an abnormal heart rhythm, known as arrhythmia.
Purging can also result in severe
damage to the digestive system, which may sometimes be life-threatening. It can
cause short-term digestive problems such as diarrhea and irritable bowel
syndrome, or even serious, permanent damage to the mouth, esophagus and
intestines.
This the reason you or your loved
one should seek treatment for bulimia as soon as it is
diagnosed.
Mental and Emotional Effects
Eating disorders such as bulimia
are also commonly associated with various mental health diseases. Many bulimics
turn to such destructive habits because of low self-esteem or a negative image
of their own bodies.
Coupled with the physical devastation that
bulimia takes on their bodies, the weight of their existing insecurities can
lead bulimics to develop anxiety and depression. If not treated right away,
this, in turn, may lead to something more serious, such as alcohol or drug
abuse, or even suicidal thoughts and actions.
Long-Term Effects
Although the short-term effects
of bulimia may start to fade after a period of proper treatment or recovery,
there may still be long-term consequences, especially if one has lived with
bulimia for a while. Various health complications may arise later in life as a
result of the poor nutrition practices from the years past.
The tendency among bulimics is to
binge food that is high in sugar. This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels,
thus putting them at an increased risk of diabetes. Furthermore, the lack of
proper nutrition in bulimics can lead to calcium deficiency, which could end up
causing brittle bones later in life.
This increases the risk of
developing bone diseases such as osteoporosis or osteopenia. Women are also at
risk of long-term reproductive damage, as poor nutrition as a result of bulimic
practices can lead to an abnormal menstrual cycle. This can possibly lead to
infertility, especially in severe cases.
Fortunately, treatment for eating
disorders such as bulimia is now easily accessible. If you or any of your loved
ones look to be displaying the signs and symptoms of bulimia, do not hesitate to
seek out help. Bulimia is something that will end up causing more harm if left
untreated, so going for treatment as soon as possible is a must.
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