Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that primarily affects young women who believe they are overweight and feel the need to control their eating. But it can also affect men. It is a psychological condition that distorts body image, causing a person to engage in extreme measures to control weight. Bulimia has many side effects, and knowing what to look for is one step toward finding help for a loved one who needs it to resolve an eating disorder.
Oral and Tooth
Repeated purging, or throwing up, leads to erosion of tooth enamel, cavities and sensitivity to hot and cold foods. The acid in a person's vomit also causes a perpetual sore throat.
Altered Bodily Functions
The act of purging can lead to ulcers, ruptures in the stomach and esophagus as well as acid reflux, which also damages the stomach and throat. This is due to acid constantly backing up through the stomach and throat, causing damage each time. Many bulimics experience heart irregularities and can even suffer from a heart attack. This is often due to the extreme deficit in potassium and magnesium, which the heart needs to function properly. Bulimics often lack iron, another vital nutrient that can lead to anemia when in short supply. A bulimic may also find that his bowel functions change. He may experience diarrhea and constipation as well as kidney problems due to the use of laxatives and diuretics.
External
Bulimics display classic behaviors that send up red flags to their loved ones. They often take a trip to the bathroom immediately after a meal. Bulimics also display secretive behavior concerning food. This is because they are ashamed of what they are doing and don't want anyone to find out. Not only are they hiding the actual purging, but they are avoiding the issues that cause the purging. Many people with bulimia eat in private because they often consume large quantities of food in one sitting and then throw it back up. Bulimics also use laxatives and diuretics to control their weight and, as a result, they spend unusual amounts of time in the bathroom or shower. Physically, a person suffering from bulimia could also have swollen cheeks due to continuous vomiting, and scraped-up knuckles due to repeatedly putting her fingers down the throat to cause regurgitation. Many bulimics also have broken blood vessels in their eyes due to the strain of throwing up all the time.
Mental
People who suffer from bulimia can also present with other mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety, substance abuse, an increase in suicidal behavior and a distorted body image. A bulimic fears gaining weight and is unhappy with the way he looks in terms of his size and build. A bulimic can look in the mirror and see a totally different person than others do. This distortion can lead to depressed feelings and anxiety over his looks and how to fix them. It can even lead to a person taking his own life. Substance abuse covers up the painful feelings involved with having bulimia and is often used to quell appetite.
