Overeating with consequences. What are the dangers of bulimia

Athletes often have to take health risks in order to perform well in big sports. For example, a minimal deviation from the required weight can significantly affect the performance of figure skaters and gymnasts. That’s why girls have to keep themselves in shape all the time and follow strict dietary rules. Sometimes this leads to negative consequences.

This month, Russian gymnast and three-time world champion Alexandra Soldatová admitted that she suffers from bulimia. With a terrible disease, as the athlete herself calls it, she is fighting for the second year. We tell you how bulimia appears and how dangerous it is.

What is bulimia?

Bulimia is a psychological disorder, which is accompanied by a violation of eating behavior, overeating and attempts to get rid of eaten food with the help of special drugs, artificially induced vomiting or other methods.

Since this is a psychological disorder, the root of the problem lies in the mental state of the person. Most often, people suffering from bulimia are concerned about weight control. They fall under the influence of public opinion, fictitious beauty standards and advertising. They have an obsessive desire to get rid of a couple of extra pounds through starvation. But since starvation is a real ordeal, not everyone can do it, there is a simpler way: eat whatever you want, and then by any means to cleanse the stomach of the food taken.

Bulimia rarely leads to the expected weight loss. The weight either stays where it is or starts to grow. Controlling overeating only becomes more difficult. The brain ignores the feeling of satiety, because of which the concept of measure simply ceases to exist. Each time a person absorbs more and more food, which after a few minutes gets rid of.

It is very difficult to overcome bulimia on your own. It requires serious treatment and supervision by an appropriate specialist – a psychologist or psychotherapist. That is why banal advice is no help.

Of course, bulimia is not a verdict. Despite the huge list of consequences, it is possible to overcome the disease and return to normal eating behavior. The main thing is to admit to yourself that there is a problem and seek help from medical institutions, as gymnast Alexandra Soldatova did.