Bulimia Nervosa an Eating Disorder
Bulimia is a health disorder defined by episodes of overeating and an immediate feeling of loss of control over it. The sufferer then employs methods such as forced vomiting, laxative misuse or diuretics to avoid gaining weight.
In bulimia, binges may occur a few times every day for a number of months. Binges cause a feel of self-loathing, which leads to compensatory behaviors such as forced vomiting; excessive exercise and strict dieting. A bulimic individual may also make use of laxatives, diuretic medication, or enemas to keep weight gain in control.
Such behaviors are quite serious and contribute to serious health complications. For instance, the stomach acid brought back up into the esophagus, a tube that connects the mouth to with the stomach, with frequent vomiting, can result in permanent damage to the area. More female than male suffer from bulimia and the condition is most prevalent in teenage girls.
The affected individual is usually well aware that eating practices are abnormal and may go through a guilt related with the binge then purge episodes. Although such a behavior is commonly secretive, signs of the disorder include over activity, curious or ritualized eating habits and frequent weight checking. While weight is usually quite normal, the person might perceive his/her self as overweight. However, when binge-eating is accompanied by anorexia then weight may be become very low.
The cause of bulimia nervosa is not known, but elements thought to lead to it are family problems, perception of physical appearance and a perfectionist personality. Bulimia also could be connected with clinical depression. Five important criteria should be met for a patient to be diagnosed as suffering from bulimia nervosa.
1. Repeated binge eating: Eating, in a fixed period of time quantities of food that are unquestionably bigger than what most people would under similar circumstances and time period. Eating is accompanied by a strong feeling of lack of control during the episode.
2. Repeated inappropriate compensatory behavior takes place in an effort to avoid any weight gain with self-induced vomiting, diuretic drugs, and misuse of laxatives, fasting and/or excessive exercising.
3. The binge eating followed by compensatory inappropriate behaviors both come about, on average once a week for many months.
4. Evaluation of self is influenced strongly by shape and body weight.
5. The disturbance doesn’t occur only during an episode of anorexia nervosa.
Bulimia nervosa can result in following health problems:
Electrolyte imbalance, Malnutrition, Dehydration, Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, Gum disease, Teeth erosion and cavities, Irritation, inflammation, and rupture of the esophagus cardiac arrest, depression even suicide. It is very important to visit your health care professional if you or any member of your family is displaying behaviors of a possible eating disorder, including binge-eating.
bulimia nervosa
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