The Battle of Bulimia
by Anne
Wolski
zone3
In a world where a person’s worth tends to be measured by
appearance, it is little wonder that we have so many young women falling
into the trap of eating disorders. Bulimia is but one of a growing number
of eating disorders recognized in our modern society.
This obsession with achieving the perfect figure has led to one
of the most dangerous and life-threatening epidemics of our time.
Bulimia is but one of a growing number of eating disorders recognized
in our modern society. It is a serious disorder characterized by binge
eating followed by forced vomiting or by purging using laxatives. People
with bulimia go through this ritual in order to avoid the weight gain
which would normally accompany an eating binge.
Why people get this condition is largely unknown and prone to
speculation though it is commonly believed that family and social
pressure, as well as unrealistic portrayals of perfect body image in the
media, play a significant role. The person is also likely to have intense
psychological problems.
Unlike people with anorexia, sufferers of bulimia are not as obvious as
they normally remain within about twenty percent of their normal weight
range. This makes it difficult for a doctor to diagnose. A person with
anorexia has the obvious signs of emaciation but with a bulimia sufferer,
it is really necessary to observe the binge eating. Because binge eating
is usually carried out secretively, this can create a problem in reaching
an early diagnosis.
The person is likely to come from a middle-class or upper-class family
who are very controlling and put great importance on achievement. The
person is often led to believe that diet and figure are of extreme
importance. Thus, the person with bulimia, already suffering from a
distorted body image, loses their self-esteem.
Because they suffer from bouts of insatiable hunger, they must then
compensate for their binges by removing the food from their body by
whatever means they can in order to achieve the image acceptable to the
parents and to society in general.
These episodes of induced vomiting and purging bring with them another
lot of medical problems. In the case of repeated vomiting, the acid
irritates the esophagus and pharynx, leaving them inflamed. The acid also
affects the teeth, leaving them sharp and rough. Laxative abuse can cause
hemorrhoids as well as chronic constipation. Vomiting and the abuse of
laxatives can both cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Treatment often relies on hospitalization where the person receives
psychiatric counseling to try to uncover the underlying causes and to help
the person to self recovery through understanding of their own issues.
There is often group therapy involved as well.
The physical problems are treated symptomatically and also include a
diet regime that can control weight without the dangers that this
obsession of bulimia can bring. The person should continue with counseling
for quite some time after returning home from hospital.
Although bulimia is a serious disorder, death is rare. By seeking
treatment and with the loving support of family and friends, the sufferer
can eventually return to normal eating habits and a normal, happy and healthy lifestyle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for over 30
years and is also co director of http://www.magnetic-health-online.com/
which is a health information portal of many interesting articles by
people in the medical industry, as well as http://www.pharmacybyweb.com/
which has online physicians who can answer your medical questions.
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