5 Dangers in Bulimia That Could Kill You

5 Dangers in Bulimia That Could Kill You

I suffered from bulimia for almost 10 years. I experienced many of its terrible side effects and was lucky enough to escape with my life. Many people never seek help for their bulimia and live with the illness for years - even many decades...

Too often, bulimia kills.

People don't understand the true dangers of bulimia. They think that bulimics are often a healthy weight - that it's a safe eating disorder... The truth couldn't be more different.

Below I have listed the TOP 5 terrible dangers in bulimia

1) Electrolyte imbalance

We need the right balance of electrolytes in our body to ensure that our muscles, organs and nerves function well. Bulimics often suffer from severe electrolyte imbalances caused by extreme vomiting or laxative abuse.

Electrolyte imbalances put massive strain on your organs and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death.

This is what happened to Terri Schiavo. It didn't entirely kill her - but she became brain dead and remained in a vegetative state for 15 years... Eventually her husband won a court case to remove her feeding tube and allow her to starve.

Terri Schiavo's story scares me because my electrolyte levels were so low when I was bulimic. I had an irregular heartbeat and severe chest pain. I'm so grateful that I escaped with my life.

2) Gastric rupture

A stomach rupture occurs when a bulimic person consumes a large amount of food during an attack. The volume of food you have eaten is so large that it bursts your gastrointestinal tract.

Stomach ruptures are one of the most terrible of all bulimia complications... They will most likely kill you and be so unexpected.

I remember numerous occasions when I ate so much that I was sure there had to be a spill! Thank goodness it never did… Again, thank my lucky stars!

3) Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is when high levels of acid build up in your bloodstream. These acids are also known as ketones. They occur when your body burns stored fat rather than food sources for energy.

It is caused by starvation, bingeing and purging, extreme dehydration, diabetes, alcoholism and hyperglycemia.

If left untreated, ketoacidosis can lead to sudden coma and even death.

4) Cancer!

Many bulimics suffer from constant and severe acid reflux. This is because they have damaged their check valve, which helps keep the food down.

1 in 10 people who suffer from terrible acid reflux develop a condition called Barrett's esophagus.

Barrett's esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer. This is extremely dangerous because it is often discovered late - once treatment is difficult and ineffective.

If severe cancer is found in a person with Barrett's esophagus, removal of most of the esophagus is recommended. Bad stuff!

It's scary to know that bulimia can lead to cancer!

5) Suicide

Bulimia and depression are two intertwined illnesses. It can be difficult to determine exactly which one started first... and which one caused the other.

In my case, depression definitely triggered my bulimia... When I left Zimbabwe (my home) in my early teens, my life spiraled out of control. I became depressed and this depression manifested itself as bulimia.

After I developed bulimia, it was desperately hard to break the habit... The cycle of bulimia and depression continued for 10 long years.

Bulimia can cause severe depression. You feel disgusted, alone and helpless within yourself. You feel like a freak. Most of all, you feel ashamed. Because of this severe depression, suicide becomes a real problem.

Bulimics are so disgusted and ashamed that they don't seek help. They suffer in silence until they can't take it anymore.

How do you prevent and avoid these terrible complications of bulimia?

These dangers of bulimia led me to get help. I didn't want bulimia to win the battle.

I have been free from bulimia for over 4 years now. I am healthy and happy. I've managed to avoid the serious complications of bulimia...although I do suffer from bulimia teeth - but it's nothing a dentist can't fix (at a price!) I'm alive and bulimia is a part of my past. Not part of my future.

To reduce your risk of suffering from these complications, you need to try to eat lots of fresh, healthy food... and you need to try to keep it low. Your body needs the nutrients to work properly and heal any damage you've already done.

The best way to prevent and avoid the side effects of bulimia is through recovery.

And you can relax! If I did it, anyone could do it. I really believe that.

Inspired by Shaye Boddington