The word “bulimia” comes from Latin meaning “ravenous hunger”.  According to Wikipedia, Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder in which someone consumes a lot of food in a short amount of time (binge eating) and then this period is immediately followed by extreme feelings of guilt, depression and self condemnation.  The sufferer will then engage in compensatory behaviors in order to make up for the binge eating.  This is referred to as “purging,” and most often takes the form of vomiting, not eating at all (fasting) or using other means of getting rid of the food they ate through the use of laxative, medications or overexercising.

What Causes Bulimia?

There are several factors that play a role in how bulimia develops in a person.  Bulimia is not just a food issue.  It is, if anything, more of a mental issue; it’s how the sufferer views him or herself as compared to other people.  It is a way to feel more in control of their lives.  Some other factors include:

• Biology. Some scientists believe that bulimia may be cause by hormone or chemical imbalances in the body that lead one person to be more predisposed to develop bulimic thoughts.
• Culture. This is, perhaps, the biggest influence as to why sufferers in the United States continue to be bulimic.  Most sufferers are women who want to be “beautiful”.  However, the model they use for being beautiful stems from the emphasis they feel society puts on women to be thin.  Therefore, as a means to be thinner, they avoid eating (anorexia) or they purge themselves when they do eat.
• Self Esteem. Many people who suffer from disorders such as bulimia and anorexia have a poor view of themselves.  They have no self esteem and hate the way they look.
• Stress. Traumatic events such as being raped or teased can lead to bulimia.

Consequences

There are a host of consequences for those who suffer from bulimia.  The following are only a small sample:

• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Throat cancer
• Kidney infection/failure
• Seizure
• Paralysis
• Death caused by heart attack

Most people who suffer from bulimia also suffer from previously misdiagnosed mood disorders.  If you know someone who is struggling with bulimia, talk to them and see that they get help.  For more information on health insurance in North Carolina, contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina today.

Tags: Health, Healthy Living //