Binge Eating Disorder
What Are The Health Risks?
Health risks from Binge Eating Disorder can arise from various aspects including:
- the physical act of binging itself
- the weight gain and obesity that often results
- deficiencies in nutrition
- And the perpetuation and exacerbation of underlying psychological problems.
Physical risks from binge eating
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picture by-vali |
Repeatedly eating excessively large quantities of food in single sessions places an increased strain on the sufferer’s digestive tract. This can result in various digestive problems such as bloating, indigestion, gastric irritation, reflux, and constipation.
In very extreme cases the stomach can be forced to stretch more than it can cope with, leading to perforation or rupture, which is a medical emergency.
Risks from weight gain
The health risks that arise from resulting obesity include:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Increased risk of stroke
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Certain types of cancers
- Arthritis
- Back pain and joint damage
Poor nutrition
Other, more generalised health risks come from poor nutrition. This is because someone who suffers with this eating Disorder tends to binge on high fat, carbohydrate and sugary foods that can be low in essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Psychological
The self-perpetuating nature of binge eating can mean that any contributing psychological issues (such as depression, low self-worth and anxiety) are effectively perpetuated and exacerbated by the condition.
For instance: a sufferer may experience feelings of increased stress or depression, which triggers a binging episode -
- which leads to even lower feelings of self esteem -
- which deepens the depression!
Studies show that people who suffer from a Binge Eating report more problems with:
- stress;
- headaches and migraines;
- sleep disturbances;
- Depression and increased suicidal thoughts.
So we can clearly see that there are various health risks involved with this condition.
However, this is not a life sentence! By addressing the pattern of behaviour and meeting underlying emotional needs, so a return to good health can be ensured.
Please see our other pages to learn how to break free from Binge Eating.
