What is bulimia? What's so bad about it?

Question

I've heard that some people purposely throw up, but why do some end up in the hospital, why is that serious sometimes?

I am not seeking help or considering in being bulimic, i am just wondering WHAT it is,

Answer 1

Bulimia is an eating disorder that has the person binging (eating a ton) and then purging (throwing it all up) in a desperate attempt to get thin. It's bad because the stomach acid in the vomit rots your teeth and destroys your esophogas (I'm not sure of the spelling-your food pipe). It is also really bad for your heart (I'm not sure why). It doesn't work. Someone with bulimia should see a doctor.

Answer 2

Bulimia (buh-LEE -me-ah) nervosa, typically called bulimia, is a type of eating disorder. Someone with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time (called bingeing) and then tries to prevent weight gain by purging. Purging might be done in these ways:

-making oneself throw up
-taking laxatives, pills, or liquids that increase how fast food moves through your body and leads to a bowel movement (BM)
-A person with bulimia may also use these ways to prevent weight gain:

-exercising a lot
-eating very little or not at all
-taking pills to pass urine



How Bulimia affects your body
Blood- anemia

Heart
Irregular heart beat, heart muscle weakened,
heart failure, low pulse and blood pressure

Body Fluids- dehydration, low potassium,
magnesium and sodium

Intestines- constipation, irregular bowel movements (BM), bloating, diarrhea,
abdominal cramping.

Hormones-irregular or absent period

Brain- depression, fear of gaining weight,
anxiety, dizziness, shame, low self esteem

Cheeks- swelling, soreness Mouth-
cavities, tooth enamel erosion,
gum disease teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods.

Throat and Esophagus-sore,
irritated, can tear and rupture, blood in vomit

Muscles- fatigue

Stomach- ulcers, pain, can rupture, delayed emptying

Skin- abrasion of knuckles, dry skin

Short fingernails are a sign.

If you are bulimic, please get help. As you can see from the list, you can eventually DIE from bulimia. I'm sorry this is so long, but I want you to get the POINT...get help.

Answer 3

bulimia is an eating disorder where a person eats a large amount of food in a short time, over a couple of hours and then purges by vomiting, over exercising or medication (laxatives, diuretics). long term health problems related to bulimia are tooth decay ( from vomitting) dehydration, weakness, kidney damage, inflammation and damage to the esophagus. not to mention depression, emotional, and social problems due to hiding this disease. If you have or know anyone with this disease they should see a doc ASAP

Answer 4

You eat and then purposefully throw up to not gain weight. It is bad because you are not feeding your body right, the muscles on your esophagus get all messed up because of the contractions you provoke every time you do it, you can get even blood vessels broken in that area, you stop your digestive system, in other words don't do it, just eat healthy!

Answer 5

It's an eating disorder-- the person who has it binges on food (eats a LOT), and then purges (vomits) to get rid of it all. It's done because the person isn't happy with their body.
It's terrible for you because your body can't get the nutrients that it needs to survive because they're thrown up as soon as they're eaten.
It also has other side effects- teeth rotting from vomit acids, for example.
It's psychological, and needs professional help to cure.

Answer 6

Its a horrible mental and physical disease some get hospitalized because some cases are worse than others! Your body needs protien to function and when you throw up all you nutrients your body shuts down, and you end up deathly ill or dead

Answer 7

It is an eating disorder where the person eats a large amount of food and then purges it by vomiting, laxatives, heavy exercise, etc. It is very dangerous and can kill. You lose electrolytes when you vomit and that can cause heart arrhythmia which can cause cardiac arrest.

Answer 8

bulimia is when you eat food an then throw it up im not so shore about why it bad but i do know that if you do it a lot it will start to rotten your teeth

Answer 9

Bulimia is a constant and insatiable craving for food.
What's so bad about it is they stuff themselves, then force themselves to throw up. They continue this cycle over and over.

Answer 10

"it's an eating disorder characterised by repeated episodes of overeating and a preoccupation with the control of body weight"