Bulimia In America: Warning Signs, Dangers, And HelpSigns Of An Eating DisorderAbout 5% of young women are affected by some kind of eating disorder. Bulimia is an eating disorder that usually affects teenage girls and young women. It rarely affects males but does happen. 95% of eating disorders are among females. This eating disorder is much like anorexia nervosa, but the sufferer tends to overeat only to throw it back up, so as to stay thin. It would be hard to tell the difference between people that have this eating disorder and people who don't. They consume as much food as any other normal person. Girls and women who suffer from this eating disorder think they are fat. This is a mental condition as much as it is a physical one.
Physical Symptoms of BulimiaThe symptoms almost mimic those of anorexia, but there are a few distinct differences between the two conditions. The bulimic sufferer is constantly vomiting their food.As a result, they have other health troubles with the burning of the stomach, throat, mouth, lining of the esophagus, and even the teeth. The acids from the partially digested food causes terrible heath issues that can be fatal if left unattended. Other symptoms are weakness, pale, gaunt, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, dizziness, saggy skin, potbelly, thin hair, cold sores, low immunity, and brittle fingernails. The latter are caused from mineral deficiencies.
Emotional Symptoms of BulimiaIndividuals who are bulimic don’t watch calories or care too much about what they eat. This is because they know they will purge it out as soon as they eat it. The person with this disorder is afraid to gain weight and is always thinking they are overweight even if they are thin as a rail.Low self-esteem and sometimes self-hate are emotional difficulties the bulimic sufferer endures. Bulimia can sometimes be more difficult to detect than anorexia because she eats quite a bit of food at meal times. Some sufferers will purge their food by way of laxatives. Other emotional symptoms are anxiety, panic, shame, guilt, moody, emotional, agitated, unfocused, restless, and low attention span. These sufferers are always nutritionally deficient as is the anorexic. They may have several emotional and mental symptoms that mimic other health conditions such as ADHD and bipolar syndrome.
Help For Bulimia NervosaThere is hope and there is help. This is not just an eating disorder but also an emotional and mental disorder that needs to be treated with sensitivity and great care. A good counselor who has experienced this same condition herself is paramount.There are specific herbs that aid the healing process. Licorice root stabilizes blood sugar and garlic aids in immunity. The herbs Echinacea and Golden Seal are known to help neutralize some of the affects of nutritional deficiency caused by continual purging. Sufferers who are well enough should resume a nutritionally sound diet program to replenish the nutrients lost and to heal the esophagus, stomach, throat and mouth area. If you know or love someone with this disorder or anorexia nervosa, it is important that you understand this condition and become better informed. Speedier recovery will happen with positive, happy, supportive and encouraging people around those who suffer from this and other eating disorders.
Sources: http://www.something-fishy.org/treatmentfinder/Acupuncture-Reinforces-Recovery.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2095112_use-herbs-bulimia.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art
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