All eating disorders have dangers. If your diet is not balanced and varied, you may become deficient in an important nutrient. Or you may tend to eat too much fat and sugar and develop health problems like diabetes and heart disease. The two eating disorders that are almost certain to damage your health are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. MayoClinic.com refers to bulimia as a potentially life-threatening disorder.
Anorexia
Anorexics eat as little as possible as seldom as possible, and can starve to death or permanently damage internal organs. Singer Karen Carpenter died of anorexia at age 32 due to cardiac arrest brought on by her diet. She weighed 80 lbs. A beautiful Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston, died of starvation. American gymnast Christy Henrich died at age 22 from organ failure due to anorexia. She weighed 60 lbs. Some anorexics live this way for years, slowly and insidiously damaging their bodies. Anorexia and bulimia can occur together.
Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa is the binge and purge disorder. Bulimics use vomiting, laxatives, enemas and/or diuretics when they've binged or feel as though they have been overeating. A combination of anorexia and bulimia can occur. Starving, stuffing and purging is a vicious and dangerous cycle. Singer Elton John has a peculiar variation to his bulimia, called chewing and spitting. Most bulimics swallow the food and have a moment or two of great comfort and warmth before they feel the guilt that forces them to purge the food.
Dangers
The damage from bulimia starts in your mouth. The harsh stomach acids eat away at the tooth enamel, causing severe tooth decay. As unattractive and painful as this is, it is minor compared to the other complications listed by MayoClinic.com. Imbalances of electrolytes can cause irregular heartbeats, and your heart itself can be damaged, causing heart failure. The chemical imbalances and low body weight can cause your periods to stop. This is a sign that nature considers you unable to successfully reproduce. The constant use of laxatives can create dependence on them. Other digestive disorders can also result from bulimia, and the mental stress of an eating disorder can lead to drug and alcohol abuse. Death can result from these complications of bulimia.
Get Help
Princess Diana suffered from bulimia, as has Sally Field, Lady Gaga, Felicity Huffman and many more celebrities. It is difficult, if not impossible, to stop these destructive behaviors on your own. If you or a loved one suffers from an eating disorder, get professional help as soon as possible (see Resources).
References
- Mayo Clinic: Bulimia nervosa
- Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center
- Mayo Clinic: Bulimia nervosa complications
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Fauci A.S., et al.; 2008
