Physical Dangers Of Bulimia
What are the most dangerous physical problems associated with bulimia?
There are so many, but I guess the most common and the most dangerous are electrolyte or mineral depletion in the body especially potassium, but also sodium, calcium, and so on. The mineral depletion can have negative effects on the heart as it can have negative effects on the bone and mineral structure, plus changes in the skin, hair, and nails. And individuals who overused laxatives when they stopped using the laxatives can develop obstruction of the bowel and so on. Probably the most serious, ultimately is cardiac arrest from the effect on the heartbeat of the depletion of minerals.
How does self-induced vomiting affect the digestive system?
First of all, there are dangers in the sense of erosion of the oesophagus and, for instance, it may cause bleeding and a number of digestive difficulties. Also it can lead to delay in the emptying of the stomach and a reduction of bowel motility further down in the digestive system, so that a sluggishness occurs leading to excess fullness and then worsening the mental aspects of the eating disorder. Many patients, who are vomiting and regurging constantly lose any touch, and any sense of what their appetite is, or if they are full or they are not full. By vomiting, also by depleting minerals, by eroding the teeth, there are so many complications that occur from it. Ultimately, the vomiting leeches out from the body and what is essential to the body, so that in addition to not eating calories, and in addition to not taking in protein, you are actually draining from the body those things that are essential.
What happens to a bulimic's teeth and mouth from self-induced vomiting?
There can be changes in the oral cavity, for instance, teeth decay, acid destruction of the teeth, and swelling of the face. If the salivary glands swell up so that one looks like a chipmunk, and so on. They don't always go down when you stop binging; some individuals have needed surgery on their salivary glands to reduce them in size.
How can bulimia make a person gain weight?
Bulimia can make someone gain weight by altering their appetite regulation so that, for instance, each time you have a binge eating episode when you regurgitate, you're only absorbing maybe twenty to thirty percent of the food that you eat. Your body has needs for that day and meanwhile your body is supposed to be regulating your appetite, and regulating your food intake. By bingeing and regurging, you're going to be eating five or six times the number of calories that you really need during that day so the chance for overshooting is almost a hundred percent, which is why most patients with bulimia nervosa are up to ten percent higher in their weight.
How does pregnancy affect a bulimic woman?
We find most women with bulimia are very contentious during the pregnancy. Actually the first trimester can be difficult as it often is in pregnancy with nausea and vomiting, and odd food choices and so on. The second or third trimester actually bulimic symptoms will go down, they decline, and occasionally we'll find the patient that gains an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy. But mentally there is less disturbance during the pregnancy. After the birth of the child, however, the eating disorder symptoms often resume and then they can affect breastfeeding and affect other things.
Does bulimia affect the way a new mother treats her newborn?
The fact that a young woman, or a woman, has an eating disorder in no way means that they will not be a good parent, and not be a good mother. In no way does it signify in any way, absolutely, that they will not nourish their child properly, or not handle food with their children in a proper way.
