We had to write an article on health for science. I just think it sends across a warning to bulimics.

Dying to be Skinny
Bulimics: Beware!

“10% of individuals suffering from bulimia will die from starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications, or suicide.” Bulimia is the process of drastically overeating, then either purging, fasting, or over exercising to burn off the calories. This mental disorder can be categorized into two types, known as purging and nonpurging.
Purging bulimia is when people physically throw up or take laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Contrary to popular belief, purging does NOT stop weight gain. Throwing up only gets rid of half of the calories you’ve eaten, and laxatives get rid of even less. Nonpurging bulimia, which is very uncommon, is when you make up for overeating by fasting, over exercising, or going on extreme diets. Both methods are dangerous and have repercussions.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of bulimia. Bulimics who vomit may have calloused hands (from sticking their finger down their throat), swollen cheeks, discolored teeth (due to acid), and a varying weight. Other effects for bulimics are complications in the blood, brain, mouth, throat, esophagus, muscles, stomach, skin, heart, intestines, and with their hormones. Some of these life threatening health problems are dangerous business.

How do you identify if you, or someone close to you suffers from bulimia? Signs of bulimia include alternating between a lack of eating and overeating, secrecy of eating, going to the bathroom after meals, using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas after eating, the smell of vomit and excessive exercising. People who are bulimics often obsess about their weight, eat until they feel sick, allow food and dieting to dominate their life, and may even feel guilty, ashamed, or depressed after they eat.

Despite how long someone has been bulimic, it can still be treated. The most effective treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of therapy targets the unhealthy process of bulimia and the insecurities that cause it. This therapy has two phases: breaking the binging and purging cycle and changing the unhealthy mindset. Antidepressants can also be used in treatment of bulimia. The combination of antidepressants and therapy combats bulimia the most effectively.

If you are or know someone who is bulimic, talk to them about it. Bulimia is unhealthy and dangerous, but most importantly, it’s treatable. If you recognize any of these symptoms, call the National Eating Disorders Association’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-931-2237, for free referrals, information, and advice.