Did you know that approximately 8,000,000 or more people in the United States have an eating disorder? Of that 90% are women. Eating disorders usually start in the teens but may begin as early as age eight.

                Bulimia is the act of purging after eating.  This puts the body under a lot of stress and can cause short and long term damage.  From an irregular heartbeat, convulsions and coma, this disorder can cause many problems.  One that is even more commonly known is the effect that bulimia has on teeth such as yellowing, frequent cavities and the wearing down of enamel, which is all caused by acid erosion.  In some cases, the lining of the esophagus tears because of all the acid. This is a life-threatening result of binge eating that requires fast medical treatment.  Bulimia can even have mental consequences such as depression, OCD and anxiety.          

                When wanting to help someone who is suffering from bulimia, the road to recovery is long. Family and friends become very concerned for the sufferer and insist on getting help for them. This leads to problems to those around the sufferer, such as: taking away from family time, social life and intimacy. The sufferer falls deeper into the symptoms and draws their selves away from their family leading to family concerns. With the obsession of eating and then purging, their social life is put at risk. Friends become worried and request help. Family and friends are put in a position, where the one they love life is in danger. A bulimic’s intimacy life also on the line. It becomes a challenge to find relationships between themselves and the opposite sex.

                In closing, this is a very serious and controversial subject. Eating disorders are fatal to the body and mind and should be taken seriously. If you or a loved one has an eating disorder it is very important to seek treatment.