As any health professional who has worked with bulimia sufferers knows only too well, there are a multitude of different health risks associated with the condition. Such health implications may range from mild such as a sore throat to severe such as convulsions and heart palpitations. This article aims to explore the physical complications associated with bulimia with key areas to be examined now listed below.
Electrolyte imbalances in bulimia patients
Oral problems in bulimia patients
Kidney and bladder problems in bulimia patients
Electrolytes, otherwise known as body salts, such as sodium, potassium and chloride may become imbalanced as a result of vomiting and/or laxative abuse. This is due to a loss of body salts and water and may result in several symptoms including dehydration, arrhythmia, heart failure, palpitations and convulsions. The reason why the body requires sufficient amounts of electrolytes is because they are absolutely essential to the maintenance of regularised electrical impulses in vital organ muscles such as the heart.
Dehydration associated with loss of fluids as a result of purging methods in bulimia can in turn lead to both kidney and bladder infections. Symptoms of such infections are likely to cause considerable discomfort and include pain on passing urine as well as signs of blood or pus in the urine. Diarrhea following laxative abuse may also result in the urinary tract becoming contaminated with fecal matter.
Grains (5-12 servings a day);
Vegetables and fruits (5-10 servings a day);
Dairy (3-4 servings a day); and,
Meat and alternatives (2-3 servings a day).
"There are six groups of nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, protein, water, vitamins and minerals. Each has its own function and all are needed to maintain good health."
Solid parental role modeling for children gives them the guidelines they will internalize as they mature. Of course this is just one aspect of parental role modeling.
This is an especially crucial time period for growing bone mass. Scrimping on needed calcium can result in developing osteoporosis (bone loss), later in life.
This structure is relatively basic:
Sticking to a timely structure, such as three meals and a couple of snacks a day;
Eating at a set time with the family;
Prohibit calorie counting;
Prohibit scales;
Prohibit diet products;
Choose nutritious foods as well as enjoyable foods;
Change attitudes, that is, not identifying foods as allowed and prohibited, but identifying eating behaviors as allowed and too restrictive;
Increase food choices slowly, not all at once; and,
Allow for set backs and slip ups.
Finally, for parents and teenagers, it is important to accept that, there is no one weight for all teenagers. Appropriate weight is determined by the size and shape of the body. If there are questions, probably best to make an appointment with the family physician.
Electrolyte imbalances in bulimia patients
Oral problems in bulimia patients
Kidney and bladder problems in bulimia patients
Electrolyte Imbalances in Bulimia Patients
Electrolytes, otherwise known as body salts, such as sodium, potassium and chloride may become imbalanced as a result of vomiting and/or laxative abuse. This is due to a loss of body salts and water and may result in several symptoms including dehydration, arrhythmia, heart failure, palpitations and convulsions. The reason why the body requires sufficient amounts of electrolytes is because they are absolutely essential to the maintenance of regularised electrical impulses in vital organ muscles such as the heart.
Oral Problems in Bulimia Patients
Physical implications to the mouth and teeth in bulimia sufferers are a direct result of vomiting as this brings stomach acid up to the mouth. This acid causes tissues in the mouth, tongue and throat to become painfully inflamed and also attacks the patient's teeth. Common symptoms also include: sore throat, difficulty swallowing, puffy face (due to swollen glands) and erosion of tooth enamel with tooth loss occurring in severe cases. Bulimia sufferers may also become much more susceptible to catching infections and have an increased sensitivity to both heat and cold. As a result of often widespread dental health problems bulimia may be detected by a dentist.Dehydration associated with loss of fluids as a result of purging methods in bulimia can in turn lead to both kidney and bladder infections. Symptoms of such infections are likely to cause considerable discomfort and include pain on passing urine as well as signs of blood or pus in the urine. Diarrhea following laxative abuse may also result in the urinary tract becoming contaminated with fecal matter.
Kidney and Bladder Problems in Bulimia Patients
To conclude, as clearly highlighted above, bulimia may result in many and at times severe health complications associated with behaviours such as self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse. These health complications must be taken seriously and it is for this reason that the sufferer requires careful monitoring by an experienced treatment team.Healthy Eating for Teenagers
Known as the "set point", teenagers without eating disorders will eat more or less as their body tells them; it is a peculiarity of ones' genes, an inherited trait. As long as normal eating is pursued, the set point will do its job. If normal eating patterns turn abnormal, over time the set point will fail to work, as the body's regulatory system tries to compensate for the increase or lack of food substances.Food Guide
Generally, three balanced meals a day with a couple of snacks is the guide with all food groups included:Grains (5-12 servings a day);
Vegetables and fruits (5-10 servings a day);
Dairy (3-4 servings a day); and,
Meat and alternatives (2-3 servings a day).
"There are six groups of nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, protein, water, vitamins and minerals. Each has its own function and all are needed to maintain good health."
Healthy Eating Attitudes
For a child/teenager to develop healthy eating attitudes the role modeling behavior of parents is crucial. If parents' lifestyles embody severe dieting plans, and critical assessments of physical attributes, there is a greater risk that the children in the family may develop an unhealthy attitude towards eating ultimately giving permission for an eating disorder to develop. However, if the parents role model flexible eating patterns and place value on the internal person rather than the external person, the likelihood of an eating disorder to develop is decreased.Solid parental role modeling for children gives them the guidelines they will internalize as they mature. Of course this is just one aspect of parental role modeling.
Teenage Girls and Boys
Girls' bodies throughout their teenage years will be adding on fat. It is necessary for health. Boys, will be increasing blood supply and muscle mass. Satisfying amounts of healthy foods are absolutely necessary during this time period for both genders.This is an especially crucial time period for growing bone mass. Scrimping on needed calcium can result in developing osteoporosis (bone loss), later in life.
Structured Meals Recovering From Eating Disorder(s)
Teenagers recovering from an eating disorder, especially, if the condition has continued for a period of time, may have upset their own regulatory system. That is, their bodies may not tell them when they are hungry or satisfied from eating. Additionally, they may have forgotten what normal eating is. Since a teenager's eating patterns can be erratic to begin with, it will take structure to help a recovering teenager learn how to eat again.This structure is relatively basic:
Sticking to a timely structure, such as three meals and a couple of snacks a day;
Eating at a set time with the family;
Prohibit calorie counting;
Prohibit scales;
Prohibit diet products;
Choose nutritious foods as well as enjoyable foods;
Change attitudes, that is, not identifying foods as allowed and prohibited, but identifying eating behaviors as allowed and too restrictive;
Increase food choices slowly, not all at once; and,
Allow for set backs and slip ups.
Finally, for parents and teenagers, it is important to accept that, there is no one weight for all teenagers. Appropriate weight is determined by the size and shape of the body. If there are questions, probably best to make an appointment with the family physician.
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