Bulemia--worried About My Sister

I know for sure that bulimia can do serious damage to your teeth enamel from the excessive stomach acid. Overall, bulimia can be extremely hard on the body, and if possible, I would suggest trying to get your sister some help. I know I didn't answer your question exactly, but I just wanted to say that now is the time to intervene in order to help your sister.

Here is some information that is sure to help you out:

repeated exposure to the acid in vomit demineralizes teeth. Your teeth may become sensitive to heat, cold, and acids. Eventually, your teeth may severely decay, erode away from fillings, and finally fall out.

Your blood potassium levels can drop significantly with regular vomiting or use of certain diuretics. This can disturb your heart's rhythm and even produce sudden death. Salivary glands may swell because of infection and irritation from the vomit. You may at some point suffer from stomach ulcers and bleeding and tears in your esophagus. Constipation may result from frequent laxative use. When bulimic episodes occur over time, a sequence of chronic illnesses can occur affecting your heart, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and/or neurologic complications.

Here is another website you can look at for further information. I hope this helps you out.
Http://www.Ivillage.Co.Uk/hea lth/hlive/eat/articles/0,,181168_187976,00 .Html

best of luck!
Basically, the damage to your teeth is irreparable. Your swollen glands will go down once you stop the cycle of bingeing and purging. Some of the longer term effects are life-threatening and irreversible.

Http://aolsvc.Health.Web md.Aol.Com/hw/health_guide_atoz/ty6336.Asp ?Navbar=hw49747


copy and paste that -- good website --- list the effects and links words to help you better understand them ..... Your sister needs therapy and a nutrionist to get her back on track slowly and healthy.

:? Bulimia can cause all sorts of nasty health problems. The esophagus can rupture & the person bleeds to death. Teeth rot & fall out. Acid burns on teeth, tongue, hands are common. Worst of all is the loss of electroytes from vomiting -- that can cause the heart to beat irregularly, eventually to stop beating. I lost two friends this way. 1 out of 10 people with long-term bulimia eventually die of it.

All of this may not help your sister. I was bulimic for many years & even though I knew it was dangerous I couldn't stop. She needs help, yes, but if you just keep telling her that she's killing herself she may do it more to block out the fear --- binging & purging is a way of relieving stress & anxiety.

There are many resources --- books, websites. Counseling centers --- for bulimics & their families. Try as many as you can & don't give up! Recovery is possible!

Hello,

I dont know if this will help but from my personal experience, bulimia cause my hair to fall out and break, my teeth to start to decay and chip, my skin to become dry with acne, I was tired all the time, laxatives made me internally bleed, therefore I had to get a colonoscopy, became severly dizzy to the point of passing out due to dehydration, I had a mild heart attack, and also lost my first pregnancy because of this disease. I have been dealing with my disorder for three years and am only 19. My advice to you is not to in any way "nag" I suppose you would say your sister about her problem. Let her know you are always there for her and she is beautiful and deserves more for her body and herself. If you print out the facts and and nail them to her door it probably wont matter to her. It might, but I didnt care what anyone said to me.. It was my problem and I didnt care if I died as long as I went out thin. I guess just be supportive and open, which by the sounds of it you allready are doing and that is a wonderful thing. My sister is really helping me recover and yours will appreciate everything you are doing to help her more than you will ever know. Help her save her life. Good luck ill prey for ya'll.-jamie

Hi it seems to affect everyone different. I have had this disease for over 10 years now. I have so many stomach problems (ulcers, unexplained pains, I have also thrown up blood numerous times), my teeth are damaged really bad and are extrembly senstive, my last trip to the dentist I was confronted on this and I was so mortifed.

It is really horrible and is often linked to psychological issues (in my case I was sexually abused as a child). It is also really embarassing to those of us that have it so don't be surprised if your sister does not want to talk about it. You should research some good eating disorder counsellors in your area before you talk. Like the previous posting said tell her how concerned you are and that you think that she needs to talk to someone...Offer to go with her for the support. This is a long road to recovery I still struggle with the feelings. Believe it or not throwing up makes you feel better so that is why it is so hard to stop. She will need your support. I hope you are able to help her for both your sakes.

Take care!

i have this friend and she has been ripped apart by her eating disorder since she was 16 years old. i met her in college about 3-4yrs ago.. when she was probobly at her worst, she weighs about 100 lbs, shes 5' nothing. Since i met her she has been in 4 treatment centers. her parents have had to remortgage their home due to the cost..... the last one was in an actual mental hospital wich scared her becauce it really hit home that she just might die from this desease. and scared me because she is so beautiful and has an amazing heart, this illness is ugly.. everything she is not. she always asks for my confidence. i tell her its learned and i'll help her learn mine. when i talk to her i always tell her just how wonderful she is and how thankful i am to have her as my best friend. .... whatever positivity i have to give her i do because i know she lacks it towards herself!!! thats what bulimia is about i guess.
I am her best friend and i love her dearly. she tells me everything, and i can read her behaviours like a book. when she goes away to a Treatment Center she comes back so healthy looking. you can even hear her happiness in her voice. its just wonderful!.
when i first met her i was very unsure of how to handle her because with an illness such as this comes very impulsive behaviours and an almost Bi-polar emotional rollercoster. I did not understand just how devastating and selfish this illness is because it not only sucks the life out of the one it consumes but also thoes around that person.
she is relapsing again... i know it.... and i dont know what to do anymore! I am there for her any way i can be. but its like watching a movie get to half way then stop... rewind.... and start over. but each time it starts over the movie becomes a little more and more distorted.
please help me out i'v done everything i could think of! what do i tell her to help her get past that brick wall she hits when her movie gets half way?! it almost seems like because she knows "ED" she wont let him go because shes afraid of what might be waiting on the other side of the wall!
any suggestions or advise would be very helpful
thank you very much