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Show health HILL TOP TIMES 26 , 1987 August ft 5 ondl irag jpy By Evelyn D. Harris bee cd irfjDBDgj and purging upsets the body's chemical balance. The constant hinging American Forces Information Service WASHINGTON (AFIS) What if you could eat all you want and not get fat? Some people think they've found the secret for how to do just that, but soon discover that "eating and purging" can become an addiction and a trap. Bulimia the name for this is more common than many people think, because its victims are good at hiding the problem. For military people, hiding it is a necessity, since servicemembers who cannot be cured of the disorder can be medically discharged. The number of military family members with some degree of bulimia is probably similar to that of the general population, which is estimated to be 8 percent of American 13- - to and as as 20 of students. high college percent Bulimia is the more common of two eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa, which affects up to 3 percent of Americans, is an obsession with thinness. About 15 percent of anorexics starve to death. Its primary victims are adolescent girls. Bulimics are less likely to die from the disorder, but are condemning themselves to a living hell. and purge themselves either by They "pig-out- " vomiting, taking laxatives or fasting, combined with extreme exercise. V Bulimics tend to be older and are often successful in their careers. They are primarily female, but there are some males. Male bulimics tend to prefer fasting and extreme exercise to other methods of purging themselves. Many anorexics periodically binge and purge, but there are many bulimics who are not anorexic. ' Bulimics tend to be high achievers with obsessive personality traits and are perfectionists in performance and appearance. They often come from families with other compulsions, such as alcohol or drug addiction and obesity. It's easy to deny that there is a problem, especially in the early stages. A case history illustrates this point. At age 15, Ellen started taking diet pills to lose her "baby fat." Since the pills made her nervous and unable to sleep, she began to go on food binges and purged herself with laxatives and diuretics pills that cause the body to lose fluids. She also ran six miles a day and ate only grapefruit. But she didn't think she was sick. She just thought she had "peculiar eating habits." ';: ..'.-.'.'- . y She hinged and purged for six years, once gaining 40 pounds on a binge. She was always able to lose the weight, but the pattern was ruining her life. She felt as if she couldn't go to lunch or dinner and feared evening social contacts because they might start a binge. "At the height of my illness, I thought about food 23 hours a day. It kept me from facing any problems I was wonderful at hiding it." Ellen got help -- for her problem after seeing a television special on the subject. She attended a workshop given by the two doctors featured in the special. Many bulimics maintain normal weight. The visible symptoms of the disease are puffiness around the eyes, ankles and feet; broken blood vessels on mmmmm LOW LOW PRICES GREAT TERMS FOR GMAC - LI CREDIT APPLICATION a. """' :w.. LJ- - "221 -- Uf"" samana.RS79aMsaTiiiBnE ras FrruJr3 ' wmi esan -- Tan wum - ,mmi' m wwwbii una taa. ' 'Ws"aiM jrTMi,-' -- . orders. ,' "CHAMPUS will cover whatever care is medically necessary and appropriate, provided there is a valid psychiatric diagnosis," said Mr. Worthey. He said coverage would include hospitalization if necessary, but that outpatient therapy was usually sufficient. Editor's note: For more information call the U.S. Air Force Hospital, Hill information desk, Ext. 77037. nrjfjunt AVAILABLE InMt.MOMIMI H M Ml WU to 07 Y A Kaarg agar f a f A1AII Wiy CAVALIER 2-2- BACK . 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Actress Jane Fonda, who was bulimic from the age of 12 until she conquered the disease at 35, noted that the older she got, the more it showed. The constant binging and purging upsets the body's chemical balance, and can upset heart rhythms. Other possible effects include weakness, stomach and kidney disorders, irreversible tooth damage and depression. Sometimes bulimia and its side effects can lead to death. One dangerous practice of some bulimics and anorexics is taking syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. Syrup of ipecac is meant to be given only when a poison is accidentally ingested. Abuse of ipecac is dangerous and is believed to have played a role in singer Karen Carpenter's untimely death. Treatment varies according to the individual and the severity of the disease. If caught very early, attending groups such as Overeaters Anonymous may be enough. Otherwise, psychotherapy or even hospitalization may be necessary. Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services spokesman Huston Worthey said that coverage for eating disorders in military dependents is the same as for other psychiatric dis-- : FflGG 4 FIRST TIME BUYER! ddodfein)f innie cab i::cuxu:Gn Horo's What International Insurance Underwriters Provides You: rfPr WAS jo it 691 10 American-styl- e down, 9 monthly payments 8 West Germany offices Worldwide policy & claim service e Evidence of insurance so Premiums quoted in you can register your car dollars We satisfy lenders requirements coverage Representation in federal court Service by mail QJ5ICp I" NEW CUSTOM VAN TAKE ADVANTAGE j OF G.M.'S MOST EXTENSIVE BUYER INCENTIVE PLAN YET UUUUD 3535 WALL 230mqJ M3.045 COMPUTED ON LOW INTEREST CASH PRICE WITH REBATE APPLIED PAYMENT 'Payments based on 60 months, 6.9 Rnanclng, plus tax license. Cell ua today or step by our local offica: 1977 N. 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