Bulimia is a disease, which effects up to 20% of College students in there 20’s. It is an on-gong cycle of out-of-control eating (bingeing) followed by some form of purging. Bulimia is a serious eating disorder, which can be fatal if not treated. The purging associated with bulimia may be self-induced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, or obsessive exercising. Women with bulimia often also feel out of control in other areas of their body besides food. Because Bulimia is a psychological disorder, women suffering from bulimia may spend money excessively, abuse drugs or alcohol, or engage in chaotic relationships. Although “Women, or She”, is the term mostly associated with bulimia, it is becoming increasingly prevalent among males.

Some Signs of Bulimia

• Person binge eats.
• Feels out of control while eating.
• Vomits, misuses laxatives, exercises, or fasts to get rid of the calories.
• Diets when not bingeing. Becomes hungry and binges again.
• Believes self-worth requires being thin. (It does not.)
• May shoplift, be promiscuous, and abuse alcohol, drugs, and credit cards.
• Weight may be normal or near normal unless anorexia is also present

Women who have bulimia may appear very sociable. But, in general have low self-esteem and a fear of abandonment. Bulimic women are often in need of control and constant approval from others. Vomiting or laxative use may feel good to him or her giving them a sense of relief and control. Other means of proving self worth may be used as well as binge-purging.
Friends of someone who is bulimic may say that their bulimic friend acts very happy, and out-going. Although, bulimic people can hide their feelings very well, they are generally very insecure and depressed. Bulimia is a sign of depression, and is used by many people as a way to deal with their depression.
Bulimia is harder to spot than other eating disorders. These people may appear normal and engage in normal activities. Bulimic usually maintain their normal body weight and are very outgoing people.

For Parents

If you are a parent and are worried or have the notion that your son/daughter is bulimic, here are a few ways to spot a problem in the making:
• Frequent stops to the bathroom after meals, may play music, or run the bathtub while in use of the bathroom, to cover up any noise.
• Unsteady eating habits- person may eat an extreme amount of food on one day, and little the next.
• Son/daughter might not eat out somewhere unless there is easy access to a bathroom nearby.
• Mood swings due to improper nutrition to the body

Symptoms of Bulimia

Not only is bulimia an emotional disease, but also a physical disease. If left untreated bulimia could lead to the following:
• Damaged teeth (Acid from stomach may cause tooth damage)
• Throat Irritation (The throat has no protection against acid and may lead to permanent scaring)
• Esophageal Damage
• Swollen Salivary Glands
• Broken Blood Vessel (Vomiting puts strains on your facial muscles resulting in broken vessels from excessive vomiting)
• Cracked damaged Lips (also a result of acid from the stomach)
• Rectal Bleeding (Excessive laxative use leads to damage of the large intestines)
• Heart damage (When you vomit excessively you put excess strain on your heart, which may lead to permanent damage)
• Dehydration (excessive vomiting results in fluid loss)

Treatments or Cures

Because bulimia is an emotional Disease or disorder, there is very little that can be done for treatment. If you know someone who is bulimic, do not scold them, and provide support and love. If you have difficulty getting through to him/her, seek out a family member, and definitely try to get them professional help (counselor, or psychiatrist). Bulimia is a disorder that can only be cured with time, and willingness to listen to outside help. Because of this, many cases of bulimia (like anorexia) prove to be fatal.