One of the behaviours used in the eating disorder Bulimia Nervosa is vomiting/purging. People who suffer from bulimia may use vomiting as a way to punish themselves for eating and vomit as an attempt to rid themselves of the food they have just consumed. This behaviour is a very dangerous one and a lot of people are not even aware of the symptoms that you can get from forcing yourself to vomit
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Perceived benefits of vomiting
People with bulimia are not vomiting for no reason. They perceive that vomiting will have some kind of benefit to them with some of those being-
The costs of vomiting.
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Perceived benefits of vomiting
People with bulimia are not vomiting for no reason. They perceive that vomiting will have some kind of benefit to them with some of those being-
- Feeling thinner after vomiting
- Anxiety caused by eating is removed
- Loss of calories
- A coping stratergy to deal with difficult emotions
The costs of vomiting.
- Tooth erosion and decay- The high acid in vomit can cause the teeth the erode and decay.
- Sore mouth and throat - Acid in the vomit can cause the oesophagus to tear or become irritated. A sign of this may be blood in the vomit.
- Heartburn and acid reflux- Can both be caused due to the acid in the vomit.
- Swelling of the face- salivary glands swell causing swelling and puffiness to the face
- Tiredness- People can become lethargic and lose energy due to the loss of vital minerals through vomiting.
- Hunger increase- Due to getting rid of some of the food you have just eaten it can lead to becoming hungry again.
- Abdominal cramps
- Water and salt imbalances and electrolyte imbalance can cause damage to the heart, muscles and brain. Kidney function can also be affected and in severe cases of bulimia it can be life threatening as it can cause heart attacks.
- Lining of gullet can ulcerate and bleed and could become life threatening if a haemorrhage occurs.
Please when you use vomiting as a way to lose weight, remember the other risks that you are taking by doing it. I know its easier said than done but it is extremely important to recognise the dangers you are putting yourself at risk with.
Lorna
xxx