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Bulimia?
Ive always had low self-esteem but for the past few weeks it has really hit a high point. About two weeks ago I ate too much after being on a great diet and losing almost 15 pounds and I weighed myself for the first time then since I had lost weight and i already gained 2 pounds back. I know it wasnt much but it made me so upset that I decided that I would just throw it up and just not eat for the rest of the night. Since then its become a habit. Ill eat a regular sized meal and then throw it up, eat later in the day, keep it and just not eat again. Some days I dont eat at all because I know that I will just want to throw it up later. I really scared myself and Ive been okay for the past few days, but I dont want to feel like I need to throw up again. I know the health issues with it and I know it is very damaging both physically and mentally. I dont want my mom to worry about me any more than she already has to, shes dealing with a lot of stress right now and so I was just wondering if there are any ways that would help me to deal with this or if there is anywhere I could get help. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you
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Actually, throwing up doesnt help. The more food that goes in you, the faster your matabilism ( sp?) and yeah. thats it. So good luck.
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It's not ok. It's not ok. you could die from beulimia talk to your parent(s) or a school guidance counselor or get professional from a bulimia/Anirexia facility.
Good Luck...
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Maybe u should c a doctor. This problem could get serious and u mite hurt urself.
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You NEED to get help. I know you dont want to have your mom worried about you, but she'd much rather worry & HELP then to find you dead and wish there was something she could have done to save your life. The most terrible thing to a parent is losing their child. And over something that could have been fixed. Yeah, you could try to fix it on your own but take it from someone whos been there..it comes back. It never really goes away until you get help from a specialized person. If you didnt want to tell your mom because you were afraid she would be mad which isnt true, you could just tell her you need a therapist..But keep in mind, the therapist will probably tell your Mom because bulimia is dangerous and needs to be watched. Im sorry you feel bad about your body but there are other ways to lose weight. You said you lost 15 pounds?!?! Thats GREAT! You should be PROUD of yourself because that is hard. Im glad you realize the effects of bulimia. But, here are all of them.
Amenorrhea - Loss of Menstrual Cycle (due to lack of the hormone, Oestrogen)
Anemia/iron deficiency - this makes the oxygen transporting units within the blood useless and can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, increased infections, and heart palpitations
Arthritis can be caused by hormonal imbalances and vitamin deficiencies.
Bad Circulation, Slowed or Irregular Heartbeat, Arrhythmias, Angina, Heart Attack - There are many factors associated with having an Eating Disorder that can lead to heart problems or a heart attack. Sudden cardiac arrest can cause permanent damage to the heart, or instant death...
electrolyte imbalances (especially potassium deficiency), dehydration, malnutrition, low blood pressure, abnormally slow heart rate, electrolyte imbalances, and hormonal imbalances can all cause serious problems with the heart, high blood pressure, accumulation of fat deposits around the heart muscle, high cholesterol, decreased exercise due to lack of mobility, diabetes and hormonal imbalances can all lead to serious problems with the heart.
Bloating
Callused or bruised fingers and knuckles- caused by repeated use of fingers to induce vomiting.
Cancer - of the throat and voice box (Larynx) due to acid reflux disorders.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - continuous and crippling fatigue related to a weakened immune system.
Constipation
Cramps
DEATH: caused by any of the following or any combination of the following: heart attack or heart failure; lung collapse; internal bleeding, stroke, kidney failure, liver failure; pancreatitis, gastric rupture, perforated ulcer.
Dehydration
caused by the depletion or lack of intake of fluids in the body, or by restriction of carbohydrates and fat. Restriction/Starvation, vomiting and laxative abuse are the primary causes in sufferers of Eating Disorders. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, or darkening of urine. It can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, seizures, brain damage and death. The healthy functioning of cells and tissues is dependent upon a certain level of water content in the body. Also, salt and other minerals need to be kept within a narrow range. In a person who has become dehydrated, it's possible they are suffering from a depletion in salt as well as water. Long-term dehydration can ultimately lead to kidney failure. Amongst bulimics, dehydration usually occurs because the stomach is being emptied of its gastric fluids.
Dental Problems, Decalcification of teeth, erosion of tooth enamel, severe decay, Gum Disease - will be caused by stomach acids and enzymes (from vomiting); vitamin D and calcium deficiencies, and hormonal imbalance.
Depression - mood swings and depression will all be cause by physiological factors such as electrolyte imbalances, hormone and vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition and dehydration. Living with the Eating Disorder behaviors themselves will cause depression.
Depression can also lead the sufferer back into the cycle of the Eating Disorder (or may have initially been the problem before the onset of the ED).
Diabetes - high blood sugar as a result of low production of insulin. This can be caused by hormonal imbalances, hyperglycemia, or chronic pancreatitis.
Diarrhea,
Digestive Difficulties - a deficiency in digestive enzymes will lead to the bodies inability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients. This can lead to malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances.
Diseases that may be triggered by this are: Celiac Disease (gluten sensitivity), and Crohn's Disease
Disruptions in Blood Sugar Levels -
Low Blood Sugar/Hypoglycemia: can indicate problems with the liver or kidneys and can lead to neurological and mental deterioration.
Elevated Blood Sugar/Hyperglycemia - can lead to diabetes, liver and kidney shut down, circulatory and immune system problems.
Dry Skin and Hair, Brittle Hair and Nails, Hair Loss - cause by Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies, malnutrition and dehydration.
Easily Bruising Skin - Vitamin Deficiencies that decrease the body's ability to heal itself, low blood pressure, low platelets count and/or extreme weight loss will all lead to easily bruised skin that can take a long time to heal.
Edema - swelling of the soft tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. It is most common in the abdominal area of Bulimics (can be caused by Laxative and Diuretic use).
Electrolyte Imbalances - electrolyte are essential to the production of the body's "natural electicity" that ensures healthy teeth, joints and bones, nerve and muscle impulses, kidneys and heart, blood sugar levels and the delivery of oxygen to the cells.
Esophageal Reflux /Acid Reflux Disorders - partially digested items in the stomach, mixed with acid and enzymes, regurgitates back into the esophagus. This can lead to damage to the esophagus, larynx and lungs and increases the chances of developing cancer of the esophagus and voice box.
Reflux can sometimes become so severe that food cannot be kept down at all and medical attention should be sought immediately.
Gastric Rupture - spontaneous stomach erosion, perforation or rupture.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding into the digestive tract.
Heart failure The heart muscle can become thin and flabby from nutritional deficiency. A lack of calories and protein can have a negative effect on the heart, and body chemicals may become so imbalanced that heart failure occurs.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)-Can cause: blood vessel changes in the back of the eye creating vision impairment; abnormal thickening of the heart; kidney failure; and brain damage.
Hyperactivity - manic boughts of not being able to sit still
Hyponatremia (related to "water-loading") Drinking too much water (more than eight, glasses in less than 12 hours) can cause Hyponatremia (not enough sodium in the blood), especially in someone already malnourished or dehydrated. Hyponatremia can cause fluid in the lungs, the brain to swell, nauseousness, vomiting, confusion and even death.
Hypotension (low blood pressure) Caused by lowered body temperature, malnutrition and dehydration. Can cause irregular heartbeat & shock
Incontinence
Infertility - the inability to have children. Caused by loss of menstrual cycle, and hormonal imbalances.
Inflammation & rupture/tearing of the esophagus
Stomach acid irritates the esophagus, which can cause inflammation and raw areas, sometimes making swallowing painful. Of greater concern is a rupture of the esophagus, because this can be fatal in some cases. It is caused by repeated vomiting and the person will have bright red blood in their vomit. Although a tear often heals itself after a few days, this is NOT ALWAYS THE CASE AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU ARE VOMITING BLOOD.
Irregular or abnormally slow heart rate
Purging can lead to potassium depletion, which in turn can cause problems with the heart. Equally, starving oneself can also lead to an irregular or slow heart rate, which can mean that the heart muscle is undergoing changes. This is likely to lead to low blood pressure and, the lower blood pressure and heart rate goes, the greater the risk of heart failure.
Insomnia - having problems falling and/or staying asleep.
Ketoacidosis - high levels of acids that build up in the blood (known as ketones) caused by the body burning fat (instead of sugar and carbohydrates) to get energy. It can be a result of starvation, excessive purging & dehydration. It can lead to coma and death.
Kidney Infection and Failure - your kidneys "clean" the poisons from your body, regulate acid concentration and maintain water balance. Vitamin Deficiencies, dehydration, infection and low blood pressure increase the risks of and associated with kidney infection thus making permanent kidney damage and kidney failure more likely.
Lanugo - (soft downy hair on face, back and arms). This is caused due to a protective mechanism built-in to the body to help keep a person warm during periods of starvation and malnutrition.
Liver Failure - the liver aids in removing waste from cells, and aids in digestion. Fasting and taking acetaminophen (drug found in over-the-counter pain killers) increases your risks for Liver damage and failure. Loss of menstruation and dehydration (putting women at risk for too much iron in their system), and chronic heart failure can lead to liver damage or failure
Lowered body temperature- caused by loss of healthy insulating layer of fat and lowered blood pressure.
Malnutrition - caused by under eating or overeating. The word malnutrition indicates deficiency for energy, protein and micronutrients (e.g. vitamin A, iodine and iron) either singularly or in combination. It can cause severe health risks including (but not limited to) respiratory infections, kidney failure, blindness, heart attack and death.
Muscle and cartilage deterioration- wasting away of muscle due to the body feeding off of itself. The body will start to use its own tissue & muscle for energy it needs.
Orthostatic Hypotension - sudden drop in blood pressure upon sitting up or standing. Symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision; passing out, heart pounding and headaches.
Osteoporosis - Thinning of the bones due to lack of calcium, leaving them susceptible to fracture.
Pancreatitis - this is when the digestive enzymes attack the pancreas. It can be caused by repeated stomach trauma (such as with vomiting), or the excessive use of laxatives or diet pills.
Paralysis (Temporary) Caused by low levels of potassium, and/or the degeneration of nerve cells, in the spinal cord or in the brain, which have been deprived of essential nutrients. Left untreated, periods of paralysis may happen more frequently and more severely, lead to permanent muscle weakness, and even result in death.
Peptic ulcers -A peptic ulcer refers to an area of the stomach or the tube that leads away from the stomach which becomes eroded by stomach acid. Peptic ulcers can be serious and need immediate attention if you are vomiting blood or passing digested blood in your stools
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Females with an ED are at an increased risk for developing PCO
Seizures - the increased risk of seizures in Bulimics is caused by dehydration.
Swelling - in face and cheeks (following self-induced vomiting).
Tooth decay Caused by the stomach acid eroding the enamel on teeth.
Please get help because you deserve it and your body deserves it. You seem like a smart girl.
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I used to be bulimic... and truthfully I didn't stop until I realized what other effects it started having on my body other than just helping me "lose weight". Your back teeth will start to deteriorate and your stomach will have a harder time digesting certain things. Also, another bad side-effect that I got was having a horrible barfing reflex so I'd end up puking even when I didn't want to. Force yourself to stop before you start to notice all the bad stuff that follows emptying your tummy.
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Listen,you need some help.Your mom has enough stress and I dont think she wants anymore.Dont hurt yourself just because you think you are fat.Because no one is fat to me!My BFF thinks she is fat but I dont think she is.If you are to skinny then you might need serious treatment.See a doctor about it or talk to a friend.Talk to my friend..she is easy to talk to and gives great advice.Well anyway I have to go but just rememeber.You are not fat and you are you and there is nothing anyone can do about that.Stop doing that and start eating.
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