Bulimia
Bulimia is a serious illness that causes severe problems with a person’s eating behaviors. It is marked by uncontrolled episodes of overeating, called bingeing. This is followed by purging with methods such as vomiting or misuse of laxatives or water pills (diuretics).
Bingeing is eating much larger amounts of food than you would normally eat in a short period of time, often less than 2 hours. You may feel like you can’t stop or control these episodes of binge-eating.
Bulimia can become life-threatening. The binge-purge cycles can happen from several times a week to many times a day.
Often people with bulimia have a normal or above normal body weight. This lets them hide their problem for years. Many people with bulimia don’t get help until they reach age 30 to 50. By this time, their eating behavior is deeply rooted and harder to change.
There are two ways people with bulimia restrict calories:
Purging type. The person uses self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas, or other medicines that clear the intestines.
Nonpurging type. The person uses other behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, rather than purging.
Experts don’t know exactly what causes bulimia. Society and cultural ideals that value certain body weights and shapes play a role. There is also a genetic link, as eating disorders tend to run in families.
These are the most common symptoms of bulimia:
Often a normal or above average body weight
Repeated episodes of binge eating and fear of not being able to stop eating
Self-induced vomiting (often in secret)
Excessive exercise
Excessive fasting
Specific eating habits or rituals
Misuse of laxatives or diuretics
Irregular menstrual periods or no periods at all
Anxiety
Discouraged feelings about themselves and the way their body looks
Depression
Fixation on food, weight, and body shape
Throat is always inflamed or sore
Tiredness and less energy
Dental problems due to erosion of tooth enamel from vomiting
Most people with eating disorders also share certain traits such as:
Low self-esteem
Feelings of helplessness
Fear of getting fat
Intense unhappiness with their body shape and size
If you have bulimia:
You may binge to reduce stress and ease anxiety.
With binge eating comes guilt, disgust, and depression.
Purging brings only short-term relief.
You may be impulsive and more likely to take part in risky behaviors, such as alcohol and drug abuse.
The symptoms of bulimia may seem like other health problems or mental health conditions. Always talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Bulimia most often affects females and starts during the teen years. But it can also affect males. People with bulimia are more likely to come from families with a history of eating disorders, physical illness, and other mental health problems. Other illnesses are also common in people with bulimia. These include substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.
You likely keep your bingeing and purging secret. This is so family, friends, and healthcare providers won’t know about it. It’s vital to find a healthcare provider who is supportive and won’t judge you. Keep looking until you find a healthcare provider you can trust. When you find a healthcare provider for bulimia, they will want to get a detailed history of your behaviors. They may ask for your permission to get more information from loved ones or other healthcare providers. Sometimes you will need psychological testing.
You may have blood tests. These are to check your overall health and nutritional status.
Early treatment can often prevent future problems. Bulimia, and the malnutrition that results, can affect nearly every organ system in the body. Bulimia can be deadly. If you think you have bulimia, talk with a healthcare provider.
Complications of bulimia include:
Hole in the stomach (stomach rupture)
Heart problems due to loss of vital minerals and electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium
Dental problems, as the acid in vomit wears down the outer layer of the teeth
Inflamed esophagus
Swollen glands near the cheeks
Irregular menstrual periods
Kidney problems
Reduced sex drive
Addictions, substance abuse, or compulsive behavior
Depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health problems
Suicidal behavior
Bulimia is often treated with both individual therapy and family therapy. The focus is on changing your behavior and fixing any nutritional problems.
Therapy looks at the link between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The therapist will look at the patterns of thinking that lead to self-destructive actions and help change that thinking. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can work well for people suffering from bulimia.
Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine may help if you are also depressed or anxious.
A healthcare provider and a nutritionist will be part of your care.
Your trusted friends and family members can play a vital support role in any treatment process.
In some cases, a hospital stay may be needed to treat electrolyte problems.
References
Bulimia Nervosa , Johns Hopkins , Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa#:~:text=Bulimia%20is%20a%20serious%20illness,or%20water%20pills%20(diuretics
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