BULIMIA: A DISEASE

BULIMIA: A DISEASE

Bulimia nervosa, commonly called bulimia, is an eating disorder that is often misdiagnosed or missed altogether. It is most common among young females, although both males and females of any age, race, or demographic may struggle with any eating disorder.

The Symptoms or signs of bulimia include:

• Preoccupation with food
• Frequent overeating, especially when distressed
• Excessive concern about weight
• Strict dieting followed by eating binges
• Binging on high-calorie, sweet foods
• Feeling out of control
• Depressive moods
• Planning binges or opportunities to binge
• Leaving for the bathroom after meals (to purge)
• Being secretive about binges or vomiting
• Vomiting after binging
• Overuse of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, or exercise to "control" weight
• Denial of hunger
• Use of drugs to induce vomiting
• Swollen salivary glands, damaged teeth, gastroesophageal reflux
• Broken blood vessels in eyes

When a person has Bulimia he performs the following activities frequently:

• Binge eating - eating a large amount of food in a small amount of time with the feeling that you can't stop or control it, with physical or emotional distress.
• Purging - compensation via vomiting, laxatives, water pills, starvation, exercise, etc.
• Binging & purging more than 2 times per week for at least 3 months.
• Body dissatisfaction - self-evaluation and self esteem overly influenced by weight and shape.
• Weight can be normal, overweight, or underweight. Large weight swings can be a warning sign.

To be diagnosed with Bulimia a person must meet all of the above criteria. However, it is important to note that if a person does not have an eating disorder it does not mean that he or she does not have disordered eating.

There are many complications resulting from bulimia nervosa, including mental disorders, digestive conditions, and heart conditions. The following are conditions resulting from Bulimia Nervosa behaviors:

• Difficulty concentrating/focusing
• Difficulty regulating moods
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Osteoporosis, even at a young age
• Increased risk of stress fractures (broken bones)
• Stunted growth
• Thyroid abnormalities
• Low energy/fatigue
• Impaired body temperature regulation - low body temp.
• Hair thinning and/or falling out from the head
• Tooth enamel erosion, loss of teeth, and/or gum disease
• Puffy cheeks - swollen salivary glands from vomiting
• Erosion of digestive linings from mouth to intestines (irritation due to vomiting and/or laxatives)
• Rupture of the esophagus - can lead to circulatory collapse and death
• Gastric rupture due to severe binge eating
• Slowing of the digestive tract due to restrictive eating
• Chronic constipation and irregular bowel movements
• Slow, irregular pulse
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness and faintness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart arrhythmias
• Cardiac arrest (heart attack)

The longer that a person continues in disordered eating behaviors, the more his or her mortality rate increases. These effects can be long-lasting, but it is important to know that one can fully recover from bulimia.

It is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A person with bulimia nervosa will need to be on an extensive treatment plan involving a medical doctor, psychiatrist/psychologist, and registered dietitian. With proper medical attention and support of family and friends, a full recovery can be achieved.

The credit for this article goes to www.shapefit.com

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