Forced vomiting can cause:

 

The esophagus connects the mouth with the stomach. The epiglottis folds over the trachea when a swallow occurs, to prevent the swallowed substance from being inhaled into the lungs. When a person is unable to swallow because of illness or coma, a tube may be inserted either through the mouth or nose, past the epiglottis, through the esophagus and into the stomach. Nutrients pass directly through the tube into the stomach.

• Rupture of the esophagus
• Weakened rectal walls (a rare but serious condition that requires surgery)

Rectum

Purging Behavior

All purging must stop!  It is the only way.  There are positive benefits which come as a result of stopping purging.  Folks tend to decrease or stop binging behavior.  Purging behavior is extremely destructive.  There is nothing more to say.  It has to go and be replaced with healthier coping skills.  Again, it is a choice for a positive lifestyle change!  If you cannot stop it on your own you need to seek professional help.  Purging by any means is a very destructive behavior. 

Purging is dangerous behavior.  Vomiting puts very unhealthy stress on the esophagus and the heart.  The body is not built to purge in this manner.  Causing oneself to purge voluntarily also does not necessarily rid the body of the calories ingested through a binge.  It is not unusual at all once an individual stops purging that they actually lose weight. 

The electrolyte imbalances caused by vomiting/purging can result in a heart attack or stroke.  For those who are not familiar with the idea of ‘purging’ - the individual suffering from bulimia does not simply vomit once during or following a binge.  Often a ‘purge’ involves a series of vomiting episodes.  These episodes can be almost involuntary depending on the length of time the sufferer has had the eating disorder.  But for the most part the purging can involve enormous stress on the body in order for the person to rid the stomach of its contents.

Purging through laxative abuse can result in permanent consequences on the intestinal tract.   The worst case consequences result in some having the misfortune of losing parts or all of their intestines/colon.  This leaves the individual with a bag rather than the normal ability to rid the body of waste material.  A less serious scenario leaves the individual dependent upon laxatives for the rest of their lives.  The electrolyte imbalance caused from this type of purging is very dangerous as well.  Again this form of purging does not rid the body of the calories from eating – those are absorbed much earlier in the digestive process as discussed earlier.  So at this point I am suggesting that purging behavior is closely linked to self-punishing behavior.

Purging through diuretic abuse also doesn’t impact the calorie intake but seriously compromises the electrolyte balance again putting the individual at risk for heart attack or stroke.  Excessive exercise causes a malnourished body additional stress.  Often rather than building muscle mass the individual’s body begins storing fat and feeding itself off muscle tissue to offset the abuse.  The body has its own interventions for malnourishment which is often contrary to how those with eating disorders think it operates.

Planning

            I mentioned previously planning is extremely important.  I cannot emphasize that enough.  Impulses can be dangerous in recovery.  One suggestion is to plan out meals as well as events for the week.  If possible, groceries shop according to the needs for that week.  If you know your plan, the likelihood of slipping decreases dramatically.

            Of course life occurs and things happen off the plan.  Those unexpected times can be helped by using the ‘what if…’ process.  Example:  What if everyone brings goodies to work?  By figuring what can be done in difficult situations that are familiar ahead of time, unhealthy impulsive reactions may be avoided.  This provides additional safety while creating new healthy habits.

            Again, remember no one is perfect.  Slips can be used as education for what works and does not work.  Everyone is different and no one thing works for all.  Experimentation, structure, support and planning are key elements which have provided success for people I have seen recover.