How does throwing up make you skinnier

You may relapse after treatment, but the good news is you can recover from bulimia. After proper treatment, most girls and women are able to eat and exercise in healthy ways. Antidepressant medications can be used along with therapy.

The U. Some people with bulimia look to alternative therapies to help ease their symptoms and lower their stress levels. Common approaches include: 7. Here are some tips: 1, 8. Bulimia can have dangerous effects on your body. In certain cases, the eating disorder can even lead to death.

Some risks that can develop from bulimia include: 1, 9. Anyone can suffer from bulimia. It does, however, tend to affect more women than men. Up to 2 percent of women have this eating disorder. Girls and younger women are more likely to have bulimia than older women. Women usually develop bulimia around age 18 or Still, researchers are finding that eating disorders are beginning to affect more older members of the population.

According to a study cited by the U. Department of Health and Human Services, 13 percent of women over age 50 had some disordered eating pattern. Historically, eating disorders have been portrayed as a problem affecting young, heterosexual, white women.

In fact they affect people of all races and ethnicities. A study published in found that Black teenagers were 50 percent more likely than white teens to exhibit symptoms of bulimia. In another study , researchers found Hispanic adolescents were significantly more apt to suffer from bulimia compared with non-Hispanics. Experts say eating disorders may be partially due to environmental stressors , such as abuse, poverty, or racism. Because women from the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color BIPOC communities are exposed to more of these stressors, they may be more susceptible to disorders like bulimia.

Conditions that may be related to bulimia include: 7, Your journey with bulimia will require lots of support and resources. NEDA is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. They provide information and support to build a community of hope. We especially love their online screening tool , which can help you determine if you need to seek professional help. The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness.

This organization is a national, nonprofit dedicated to providing programs and activities aimed at outreach, education, early intervention, and advocacy for eating disorders. The AED is a professional organization that promotes excellence in research, treatment, and prevention of eating disorders. ANAD is an organization committed to providing free services that are accessible to all.

We love their recovery mentor program , which matches you with an individual who has recovered from an eating disorder and can help support you. Eating Disorder Hope. Eating Disorder Hope offers online support groups dedicated to providing assistance and encouragement. The groups are led by licensed professional counselors.

Recovery Record: Eating Disorder Management. This app is designed to help you manage your recovery from eating disorders. It lets you track your mood and meals. What things should I be considering before going ahead? Any info much appreciated. Certainly you can lose weight this way, but it is incredibly dangerous.

The medical term for this is Bulimia, and causing oneself to throw up in an effort to lose weight can have serious short and long term consequences. The only thing that you should be considering before you go ahead is to not do this at all. The short term problems include ruptured esophagus, electrolyte disturbances and possibly heart rhythm problems which may lead to death. The long term issues include these but also hormone problems, loss of bone and muscle density, and damage to tooth enamel.

Here's a place to help you get started eating healthy for weight loss that'll work for the long term and keep you healthy. This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.

Contact afpserv aafp. Want to use this article elsewhere? Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Jan 15, Issue. Am Fam Physician. How do I know if I have anorexia? How do I know if I have bulimia? Who is at risk for getting an eating disorder? What are the health risks of eating disorders? How are eating disorders treated? They can help you: Manage any physical problems caused by the eating disorder Develop good eating habits and stay at a healthy weight Change how you think about food and about yourself Improve how you handle feelings such as anger, anxiety, and feeling hopeless or helpless Develop ways to keep the eating disorder from coming back Your family may be included in your treatment plan.

Are there ways to help myself get better? Make and keep regular appointments with your doctor Eat regular meals Exercise regularly, but do not overexercise Don't use laxatives or diet pills Don't follow fad diets or diets with very few food choices or too few calories Don't use caffeine, alcohol, or cigarettes.

Where can I learn more about eating disorders? Read the full article.