Although there are many different variations of bulimia, the most common one involves binging and purging. A person who is suffering from this type of bulimia will binge (over-eat) on food, and subsequently force herself to vomit. In the bulimic's mind, she is making herself vomit to prevent weight gain. In reality, the purging does not stop weight gain.
Bulimia can affect any person at any age, but it mostly affects adolescent girls. This binging and purging can occur several times a day for a long period of time. In most cases, you will be able to tell if your child is suffering from this eating disorder, as the signs can be clear. Bulimia can result in death. If you even suspect that your child or a loved one is bulimic, please seek medical help for her as soon as possible.
Symptoms and side effects of bulimia
- Discoloration of the teeth
- Person may smell like vomit
- Over-eating
- Going into a bathroom shortly after over-eating
- Infections of the gums and esophagus
- Normal body weight
- Hoarseness of voice
- Sore throat
- Ulcers
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Fluctuation within 10 lbs. of weight
- Loss of menstrual cycle in women
- Rotting teeth
- Secrecy involving food
Bulimia can cause serious health problems if left untreated
If left untreated, bulimia can cause many serious health issues. These health problems can include, but are not limited to:
- Ulcers
- Metabolic alkalosis (imbalance of the body's acid/base balance)
- Slowed breathing / apnea
- Irregular heartbeat
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Lung aspiration
- Respiratory distress
- Esophagus/stomach tears or ruptures
- Depression
- Anxiety
What you can do to help a bulimic child
The sooner an eating disorder is diagnosed and treated, the more likely your child will overcome the disorder and live a healthy life. If you suspect your child may be bulimic or have any type of eating disorder, you must seek medical attention for her. Let your child know that you are concerned about her health.
Most bulimic children will deny having the problem because they are embarassed by it. Bring them to see a medical professional. There are therapists and counselors who specialize in eating disorders and are more than qualified to help your child. There are also support groups for families who are dealing with an eating disorder. I have included some useful links:
Eatright.org – Find A Registered Dietician Near You
National Eating Disorders Association
Mdjunction.com – Bulimia Support Groups
Other types of bulimia
As I said in the beginning of this article, there are many variations of bulimia. Not all bulimics purge (make themselves vomit). Some bulimics will try to compensate for their over-eating by over-exercising, or starving themselves for a period of time before their next binge. Other types of bulimics will binge on a large amount of food for a short period of time and then use laxatives to get rid of the food. All of these types of bulimia can be deadly. Please seek help immediately for children with bulimia.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Samantha Schulz - Samantha Schulz has been writing since the age of 5. She enjoys writing poetry, short stories, and informational articles. She recieved a ...
