Does bulimia affect your vocal chords?

Question
Dear Reverend Abbott,
I'm completely obsessive about my weight and I can't eat anything without feeling guilty. Recently, I've been throwing up my food a lot, but I didn't really think anything of it. However, I've noticed that my voice has been sounding funny. I'm the lead in my schools musical, so I have to sing a lot. Lately though, I've been having a lot of trouble singing. I can't hit some of the notes, and my voice is much quieter. My friend told me that throwing up my food ruins my vocal chords. Is this true? And if so, is it permanent? I really want my voice back!
Thanks,
Katie

Answer
If losing your voice makes you realize this isn't a good choice, then ok.  I was bulimic for over 30 years and like most other bulimics (who live) we can PROMISE you it doesn't work for weight control (in fact, most bulimics are overweight!) - but we do it, hoping that today will be different and that we'll be the exception.  
A huge number of bulimics die with their heads in the toilet (great legacy isn't it?) and a large percentage die when their esophagus ruptures (sometimes while they're walking to a class, driving a car, sound asleep - it can happen any time) and they spend several agonizing minutes drowning in their own blood and fluids (watching anyone who's around freak out, trying to save their lives).  

Yes - vocal cords can be affected exactly as you're experiencing.  If you stop - there's a good chance it will heal; or, if it's been going on too long, the acids have permanently damaged them (human stomach acid is among the most potent, powerful acids known on earth! Our body knows what it's doing in keeping it INSIDE the stomach. We, on the other hand, don't always make the right decisions).

If you stop your bulimia, you'll likely find another outlet for the obsession.  You could become 'exercise-bulimic' or something else.  Again, been there, done that...PROMISE you it doesn't work!  
I DID find what does work - and it's really just as easy to be 'obsessive' about doing the 'right thing' as we are about doing the stupid thing. Stupid-stupid-stupid (talking about ME...spent a lifetime and soooo much permanent health damage on awful eating/food choices).  

Check out my site - it's free, honest and no sales or promotions - all about this stuff.

http://www.geocities.com/thereverend1investigates/

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