Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by regular episodes of binging and purging. As soon as the people with this disorder eat they make their way to the bathroom to vomit it up. This behavior is compulsive and the people afflicted with this disorder feel ashamed and set apart from everyone else. They see their flaws as if through a magnifying mirror. People who binge and purge usually do it in private. There is an element of shame in the behavior, yet they are compelled to engage in it.
When people with bulimia binge, they eat large quantities of food at a time, and then force themselves to vomit to remove the calories from the body. People with bulimia may also engage in excessive exercise and the misuse of laxatives to get rid of any calories left in the body. This disease is closely related to anorexia because at times they may skip meals or eat very small amounts. Bulimia nervosa is a debilitating disease because the people afflicted with this disorder are preoccupied with food. Bulimia presents in approximately 1 to 3 percent of women in the US. Bulimia is associated with self-image. It’s not only about food. This disease can be life threatening. There is a real danger of hemorrhage from the frequent vomiting that causes the throat to be raw.
Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Because it’s so intimately entwined with self-image – it’s not just about food – bulimia can be difficult to overcome. But treatment can help people with bulimia feel better about themselves and adopt healthier eating patterns. Some people gag themselves with their fingers or a toothbrush, but some also use syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. Frequent vomiting can lead to electrolyte imbalances which can cause life threatening heart arrhythmias. The teeth and gums may be damaged due to the stomach acid being brought up into the mouth so frequently. Frequent vomiting and overuse of laxatives can cause severe irritation to the esophagus, gut and rectum, which can in turn cause GI bleeding, which can be life threatening.
The physical manifestations related to bulimia are: damaged teeth and gums; constipation; swollen salivary glands; swollen cheeks; bloating; sore throat; sore mouth; fatigue; dehydration; dry skin; loss or irregular menstrual periods and irregular heartbeat. The emotional or behavioral manifestations include: frequent episodes of binging; always dieting; eating until stomach pain is felt; feeling out of control; obsessed with body shape and weight; going to the bathroom either during meals or immediately after meals; anxiety; depression; and hiding and hording food.
Bulimia is most common in females, and often starts in adolescence or as a young adult, and very common among college students. People that have bulimia may be overweight, but are often of normal weight. Bulimia nervosa is a mental disorder that is usually induced by peer pressure dictating the need to diet. Often people with bulimia are going through some sort of emotional problems. They may have trouble coping with how their body is changing in puberty. There could be any number of emotional upheavals; there may be family problems, such as divorce of the parents that the young people may feel powerless about, and the only source of comfort may come from binging and purging.
People that have bulimia may have self-esteem issues, and they may manage their moods by engaging in this form of self-abuse. Television and magazines reinforce the need to be thin, because emaciated models as showing us that they are the definition of beauty. The message is clear: if you aren’t skin and bones you are not beautiful. There may be a chemical imbalance in the brain in some young people to cause a low level of serotonin, which may influence this negative behavior.
The lives of people with bulimia are centered around their disorder. Many bulimics calculate their behavior; they plan ahead for their opportunities to binge, and make sure they create the opportunity to purge, but this is not the case for everyone. Some people are motivated by stress, self-loathing and body image to binge and purge. There may be an emotional trigger to start the behavior.
If you are having any problems similar to what I have written in this article, it is time to go to your doctor to be evaluated. Your doctor will sit down with you and ask you questions about what your life is like every day. You will be asked questions about your eating habits, your binging habits as well as your purging habits. You will have a battery of tests that include lab tests to verify your blood counts, and your electrolyte levels. You may also have X-rays to check for broken bones and evidence of pneumonia. Your doctor will evaluate you and check your symptoms and behaviors against the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to verify that you do have this eating disorder.
Bulimia is a disease that requires a team effort to treat. It takes medical and psychiatric professionals, as well as dietary professionals to treat this disease; however the person has to want to get better. She has to get involved and do the work required to get better. Many times getting involved with helping other people helps to take the mind off self, and the person can begin to focus on living. The person then begins to get better. There is no cure for bulimia, because it is a behavioral disease that is often triggered by stress.
It is a good idea to stay away from websites that are pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia. Stay way from message boards and chats that encourage this sort of behavior. Find a good role model and try to emulate that person’s qualities into your own life. If you have bulimia, talk to your friends and family; encourage them to encourage you. Ask them not to call you names or make jokes about you, because these types of behaviors make you feel bad and often trigger you into bulimic behavior.
Whatever plan of care your doctor has you on, be sure to stay compliant with it. If you are given prescriptions, make sure you take them. You doctor may have given you antidepressants which help to alleviate depression and anxiety. The medications don’t treat the bulimia, but they elevate the mood, which can help stop the triggers. Severe cases of bulimia may require a hospitalization and follow-up out patient treatment in either a medical or psychiatric hospital. Be open to follow the advice of your doctor or psychiatrist, so that you can get on the road to wellness.
Bulimia is a life-long condition, but with treatment people can recover. Depending on the element of stress in your life, you may be drawn from time to time to enter into old habits because they are comfortable. This may be a battle you fight for a lifetime. For this reason, it is beneficial to locate a good support group in your area to help you get through the tough times in your life without reverting back to old habits. Embrace the people around you; don’t isolate yourself from all the people in your life that love you.
Source: Mayo Clinic information page
