Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia

Bulimia is an improper weight loss tactic. It is a common eating disorder seen commonly in the adolescents, to maintain a below the average weight, analogous to their role models, like models, actors and so on. 80% of bulimics are women. Electrolyte imbalance causes deficiency in potassium and certain minerals, thereby leading to cardiac arrest and death. Teenagers are more prone, as they consider this, as an easy technique to reduce weight and keep in shape.

It is one of the common eating disorders, in addition to anorexia nervosa and compulsive eating.

Hoarding food and eating privately is typical of bulimics. Binge-eating disorder involves the uncontrolled eating pattern. Joint pain, fatigue, guilt feeling, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and gall bladder diseases occur. Irregularities in heart beat, self-induced vomiting, constipation and depression are regular symptoms. They fail to eat with the family and non participation in social activities is seen, thereby, resulting in social withdrawal.

Both the physical and mental health of an individual are affected. They are mostly overweight or normal in their stature. Frequent visit to the toilets is one of the primary symptoms. This signals the use of diuretics or emetics, thereby resulting in vomiting. They avoid meals with the family and eat at a later period. Symptoms of bulimia include low self respect, skipping meals, eating less in public and increased water consumption, resulting in vomiting. Excessive walking and exercising result in weight loss, in addition to controlled eating. Adopting techniques to camouflage the vomiting smell from mouth, like chewing gums and mouth sprays. Food disappearance, improper dressing style, negative body image perception, avoiding mirrors and menstrual irregularities result in bulimia.
Callused finger, inducing the finger for vomiting is a primary cause in adolescence, as they lack knowledge about this problem. They pair food in a funny manner, thereby depriving themselves, of any enjoyment or pleasure. Cutting foods to a small size creates an impression of large volume. Discolored teeth and bleeding gums, which are at great risks in bulimics, is a result of vitamin and mineral deficiency. Irregularities in menses and intestinal problems, like diarrhea and constipation.
Unpredictable food preference, skipping of meals, long period of chewing are signs of bulimia. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common. Acid reflux results in bleeding gums and decalcified teeth. Hypokalemia, lanugo, depression and fatigue are also signs of bulimia. Underlying factors are better identified, namely, emotional problems, psychological disorders and body image perception.

Submitted on February 24, 2009