Table of contents:
- Effects of bulimia on organ systems
- 1. Central nervous
- 2. Digestive system
- 3. The circulatory system
- 4. The reproductive system
- 5. The integumentary system
Bulimia is an eating disorder in order to get the desired body weight. Bulimia is characterized by two of the most prominent behaviors, namely the habit of eating excessively and regurgitating food. People with bulimia clearly lack food intake because what they eat is immediately expelled again through vomiting. But it turns out, the effects of bulimia are not just that. Almost all organ systems in the patient's body are affected. Anything?
Effects of bulimia on organ systems
1. Central nervous
Apart from being an eating disorder, bulimia is a condition that is included in mental health disorders. Why? This is because people with bulimia are prone to experiencing depression, excessive anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive behavior due to bad eating behavior.
The habit of vomiting food causes the body to release endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make sufferers feel comfortable. This makes sufferers even more motivated to throw up their food again in order to feel comfortable.
However, this habit automatically makes the sufferer experience a deficiency in various vitamins. this not only affects the physical health but also the emotional state of the sufferer, for example, becoming more irritable and in an unstable mood. This unstable emotional condition makes sufferers prone to falling into substance abuse, in order to accelerate the attainment of the desired body weight.
In fact, people who experience bulimia often stress themselves out because they are too focused on the shadow of their own ideal body weight. In fact, because of prolonged stress and stress, it is not uncommon for people with bulimia to take shortcuts by committing suicide. Really dangerous, right?
2. Digestive system
The eating habit of people with bulimia is to overeat at first and then regurgitate the food. This is what makes the digestive system disturbed. Yes, the effects of bulimia trigger fatigue and weakness in digestive tracts.
The habit of vomiting continuously exposes the mouth to acidic fluids from the stomach, which then causes dental and mouth problems. Furthermore, this condition will cause tooth decay, sensitive teeth, and gum disease. In addition, it can also make your cheeks and jaw look bigger due to the swelling of the salivary glands.
Apart from damaging teeth and mouth, acid reflux can cause several other health problems, including:
- Esophageal irritation, in severe cases, can rupture the esophagus and bleed
- Gastric irritation, leading to stomach upset and acid reflux
- Damages the intestines, causing flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation
Not a few people with bulimia use diuretic pills, diet pills, or laxatives to remove food that has entered their stomach. Frequent use of these products can make it difficult for sufferers to have bowel movements. It can also damage the kidneys and cause prolonged hemorrhoids.
3. The circulatory system
Electrolytes are chemicals that describe the body's fluid requirements, for example potassium, magnesium, and sodium. When vomiting, people with bulimia automatically dispose of electrolytes in the body, causing dehydration. Because the body loses electrolytes, the circulatory system and heart organs are also affected.
Electrolytes that are not balanced, can make the heart tired and blood pressure decreases. In severe cases, acute dehydration can cause weakness of the heart muscle, heart failure, heart attack, and sudden death.
4. The reproductive system
The effects of bulimia that occur in women cause menstrual cycles to become irregular, and can even stop altogether. If the ovaries (ovaries) no longer release eggs, it is impossible for sperm to fertilize an egg. This indicates that the effects of bulimia also affect female fertility.
In addition, bulimia is a disease that can disrupt reproductive hormones, ultimately making people experiencing it lose their sexual desire. Of course, this will disturb the harmony in a relationship.
Pregnant women who experience bulimia have a lot more to do with it. Because, this will also have an impact on the fetus in the womb. The effects of bulimia on pregnant women can increase the risk of health problems as follows:
- Preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Miscarriage
- Babies are born prematurely
- Babies are born breech
- Risk of cesarean delivery
- Low birth weight (LBW)
- Birth defects or stillbirths
- Postpartum depression
5. The integumentary system
The integumentary system that includes hair, skin and nails is also affected by bulimia. Whenever the body is dehydrated due to bulimia, all organs of the body do not get the fluid supply they need, including the hair, skin, and nails.
The effect of bulimia causes hair to become drier, frizzy, and even hair loss. In addition, the sufferer's skin tends to be coarser and scaly, while the nails become increasingly brittle and thinner.
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