Bulimia (oxlike hunger) can be more difficult to detect than anorexia because many girls and women with this disorder maintain a normal body weight. They consume largeamounts of food, sometimes up to 5,000 calories worth, then purge themselves of theexcess calories. Some do so by inducing vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, takingenemas, fasting or exercising obsessively. The condition tends to become most serious inlate adolescence, but can develop at any age from early adolescence to age 40.Bulimia is believed to be much more common than anorexia; as many as 10% of womenmay suffer from bulimia at some time in their lives, though it typically begins duringadolescence. Like the anorexic, the bulimic usually is attempting to control weight.Over time, purging can become a destructive, uncontrollable process. Physical effects canbe serious. Frequent vomiting can cause damage to the tissues of the throat andesophagus, and to the teeth. Bowel, liver and kidney problems, dehydration and seizuresare also possible. Electrolyte imbalance resulting in a risk of cardiac arrest is anotherdanger.Many people who have bulimia do not seek help until they reach their thirties or forties.By this time, their eating behavior is deeply ingrained and more difficult to change.Danger Signs:eating uncontrollably purging by strict dieting, fasting, vigorous exercise, vomiting or abusing laxativesor diuretics using the bathroom frequently after meals preoccupation with body weight depression mood swings feeling out of control swollen glands in neck and face heartburn bloating irregular periods dental problems constipation indigestion sore throat vomiting blood weakness, exhuastion bloodshot eyes WHAT CAUSE EATING DISORDERS?Experts believe that more and more young people are developing eating disorders, butthey are not certain why. Biological, psychological and social factors all play a part. Some scientists believe that genetics are partly to blame since ...
