Society
...exia is the disease in which one will not eat anything for long periods of time in order to be thin. These patients feel that they are fat and that they must starve themselves. Bulimia is another form of eating disorders. Bulimia, also called Bulimia Nervosa can be characterized by repeated episodes of overeating and a preoccupation with the control of body weight. “Bulimia is thought to be four to five times more common than anorexia, but far more difficult to detect. (Hesse-Biber 81). Studies have shown that up to one percent of the population is suffering from Bulimia at any one time, and this may well be an understatement. In case one is not familiar with the symptoms of Bulimia, these are a few according to The World Health Organization. 1. Persistent preoccupation with eating and an irresistible craving for food. 2. Episodes of overeating in large amounts food consumed in short periods of time. 3. Excessive exercise, induced vomiting after eating, starving for periods of time or taking drugs such as laxatives or diuretics to counteract binging. 4. Heartburn 5. Bloating 6. Indigestion 7. Constipation 8. Irregular periods 9. Dental problems 10. Fear of becoming fat This is also seen in patients with Anorexia and there is some overlap in the symptoms of these two diseases. Bulimia Patients often feel fat and unsatisfied with their appearance. Someone who has Bulimia Nervosa will eat whatever they want and as much as they can. These binges result in feelings of guilt. They then feel upset about what they have done and then they make themselves sick. “Surprisingly, it is also understood that these acts of purging may also be a means for some women to vent their anger and frustration they feel in dealing with their environment”. (Hesse-Biber 83). In a sense manipulating food intake is one culturally approved way that woman can gain some influence over their environment. This binging and purging is usually done when the person is alone. They usually binge on what are known as comfort foods – foods high in calories. An individual may binge from anywhere from twice a day to several times a day. Also when a person is confronts about the binging and purging they usually deny it. Patients with Bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are normal weight. Women with Bulimia tend to be high achievers. (MamasHealth.com). Purging after awhile becomes a normal routine for a Bulimia patient. It becomes practically effortless after long periods of time. The patient will then begin to purge more often. “ Most Bulimic woman have at one time or another stopped purging; yet they continue to overeat or binge uncontrollably due to fear of becoming fat”. (White 136). Those who have vomited daily for five or more years have suffered from a condition involving spontaneous regurgitation of the stomach contents. They automatically have trouble keeping anything down. There are many other complications of repeated purging. 1. Erosion of tooth enamel because of repeated exposure to acidic gastric acidic gastric contents. 2. Dental cavities, sensitivity to hot or cold food. 3. Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands from repeated vomiting 4. Stomach ulcers 5. Sore throat 6. Weakness 7. Exhaustion 8. Bloodshot eyes 9. Rupture of the stomach and esophagus 10. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the intestine 11. Disruption in the normal bowel release function 12. Electrolyte imbalance 13. Dehydration 14. Irregular he...