Dr Okezie Emenike, an Abuja-based medical practitioner has said that people with eating disorders known as bullimia nervosa are at risk of life threatening illnesses.
Bullimia nervosa is an eating disorder, characterised by eating larger than normal quantities of food in a short space of time, while using different ways, including vomiting to prevent weight gain.
The condition is associated with a sense of loss of control and immediately followed by feelings of guilt and shame.
According to Emenike, bullimia affects more women than men and is common in teenage girls and young women.
He noted that the cause of bullimia remained unknown, but attributed it to genetics, physiological, family, society and culture as factors posing a risk of developing the condition.
Emenike added that bullimia could be dangerous, as it could lead to serious health problems.
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He explained that a person with bullimia often indulged in self induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, among others.
“ Due to excessive vomiting, there can be a permanent damage in the stomach, tears in the esophagus, swelling of the throat and dental cavities.
“It can also lead to lack of fluid in the body, low level of potassium in the blood, hard stools, constipation, damage of the pancreas and hemorrhoids,’’ he said.
The medical practitioner said that the condition could cause a patient extreme social isolation, forced withdrawal from school, withdrawn from family, loss of job and infertility.
According to him, bullimia could also lead to internal bleeding, drug and alcohol addiction, heart attack, inability to sleep, self injury behaviour and suicide.
Besides, Emenike said that treatment of eating disorder would start from psychological therapy, interpersonal therapy and administration of medications, including antidepressants.
He urged patients with eating disorder to seek medical help, noting that the condition could result to irreversible complications.
