DEFINITION
Bulimia nervosa also often called bulimia is a serious life-threatening eating disorder. Bulimia is characterized by a secret binge- a period of excessive food consumption- followed by purging, trying to get rid of the extra calories in a seemingly unhealthy manner. Bulimia can be of two types: the purging bulimia where an individual self-induce vomiting or misuse laxatives after bingeing, the non-purging bulimia where such method like fasting, strict dieting or rigorous exercising are applied to prevent weight gain and rid the body of extra calories. This vicious binge-and-purge cycle can lead to dehydration due to excess vomiting, damage the digestive system and create electrolyte imbalances in the body harming the functioning of essential organs, such as the heart, kidney and may eventually lead to death. Bulimia develops during adolescence and early adulthood this explains why it is more common among young women. However, it can affect anyone of any age
CAUSES
Many factors associate with the development of bulimia. They are:
Low self-esteem stemming from concern about weight and body image
Trouble handling emotions in a healthy way and using eating as emotional escape
History of trauma and abuse such as sexual abuse, childhood neglect, troubled family relationship or loss of a loved one.
Anxiety, depression, stress or anger.
A deficiency in the brain chemical serotonin
An individual with a first-degree relative (parents, siblings, and children) that suffers from an eating disorder is more likely to develop such eating disorder.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Bulimia signs vary, but someone doesn’t have to have all of them to be suffering.
Are you bulimic?
Are you preoccupied about your body and your weight?
Are you obsessive with food and dieting?
Do you live in constant fear of gaining weight?
Are you afraid that when you start eating, you won’t be able to stop?
Do you ever eat to a point of discomfort and pain?
Do you feel guilty, ashamed, or depressed after you eat?
Do you vomit or take laxatives to control your weight?
Do you engage in excessive exercise after eating?
These signs dominates the life of a bulimic.
Other signs and symptoms include:
Not wanting to eat in public or in front of others
Scars on knuckles from self-induced vomiting
Teeth may look yellow due to exposure from stomach acid while vomiting.
Damaged gum.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
DIAGNOSIS
If a bulimia case is suspected, the doctor will perform:
A full physical exam
Urine and blood tests
A psychological assessment including a discussion of eating habits and attitude towards food
Additional test to check for any related complications
TREATMENT
In treating bulimia, it is very important to have support from family, primary care provider, mental health provider and a dietician that has experience in treating eating disorder. Though several methods of treatment are required, combining anti-depressant and psychotherapy is the best way of treating such disorder.
Significant reduction of symptoms may be experienced when antidepressant is combined with psychotherapy.
Fluoxetine (Prozac), a serotonin specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is the only antidepressant specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat bulimia.
Psychotherapy known as psychological counselling involves talking about your bulimia and related issues with a mental health care provider. This discussion helps to pinpoint toxic, negative beliefs and replace them with healthy, positive ones. It also helps to identify difficulties in your relationships and addresses ways in which you can improve your communication and problem handling skills.
Dieticians may help in designing a healthy eating plan that focuses on healthy weight achievement, normal eating habit and good nutrition. A medically supervised weight-loss program may be beneficial.
Bulimia is mostly treated outside the hospital, in rare cases of serious complications, hospitalization may be necessary.