The effects and problems encountered due to bulimia and other eating disorders are many and can affect many aspects of a person’s life. They are physical, mental and emotional. It is important to get to know them in order to be informed and aware. Some of them are:
Physical
- Menstrual irregularities — missing periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives. Studies show that there is a relationship between women suffering from bulimia and women who have polycystic ovaries. Unfortunately, it is not clear which one is the root cause;
- Exhaustion, fatigue and headache;
- Osteoporosis – when there is a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D, the body tries to get them from the bones, which leads to thinning and brittleness;
- Electrolyte imbalance. Electrolyte balance is important for controlling body fluids, blood pressure, blood pH etc.. Electrolyte imbalance can lead to a slow heart rate or arrhythmia, which is a life-threatening condition;
- Problems with the stomach and digestive system. Stomach pain, bloating, inability of the stomach to process even a small amount of food, etc.;
- Constipation or diarrhea;
- Dental problems. The acid in the mouth from vomiting destroys tooth enamel and predisposes to caries. On the other hand, the consumption of foods high in sugar is also a prerequisite for the formation of caries;
- Dehydration and water retention;
- Kidney problems;
- Dry skin, nails and hair are other effects of Bulimia due to lack of important minerals and vitamins;
Mental and Emotional
- Depression. It is usually directly related to lack of self-confidence, inability to cope with the situation, etc.;
- Sleep problems, difficulty falling asleep or restless sleep;
- Anxiety;
- Extreme mood swings;
- Difficulty concentrating and memory problems;
- Low self-esteem and self-evaluation. Whether these are problems due to bulimia or vice versa is not clear, but there is a relationship;
- Social isolation, etc.
These are just some of the common effects and problems caused by bulimia. The good news is that once we recover from the eating disorder, most of these problems will disappear.
