Bulimia nervosa: symptoms, causes and treatment

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Definition of bulimia

What is bulimia?

Bulimia or also known as bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that can be life-threatening. Sufferers, often can not stop eating and always eat large amounts of food in a short time without being controlled.

Then, because of their excessive fear of obesity, they will make themselves vomit, fast, and exercise very hard, but irregularly to lose weight. These are all unhealthy ways to lose weight.

If you have this disorder, you are probably preoccupied with your weight and body shape.

How common is this condition?

Bulimia is a mental illness that affects fairly common eating behavior. Usually, it more often attacks girls and young women, for example, professional models and professional athletes whose jobs require high discipline to maintain body shape.

Even so, it does not rule out if men, the elderly, or cancer sufferers undergoing chemotherapy experience this eating disorder.

Bulimia signs & symptoms

Possible signs and symptoms of bulimia include:

• Busy thinking about your weight and body shape.
• experiencing fear and anxiety about gaining weight.
• Several large meals in a short period of time. While eating, they lose control; can not stop or control the portion of the meal.
• Afterward, force yourself to exercise hard or regurgitate the swallowed food. Sometimes use laxatives to help with dieting, take diet pills, keep strict fasts and avoid eating out.
• Using supplements for excessive weight loss.
• Usually the habit of defecating will change, for example experiencing one bowel movement a week for at least three months.
• The wound healing process is quite long.
• Feeling cold all day but sweaty hands.
• Dry skin and nails peel easily.

When should I call the doctor?

If you or someone you care about experiences the signs and symptoms mentioned above, see a doctor immediately. Especially if it shows the following signs:

• Always complaining about being fat or perceiving a negative self-image.
• Overeating without control but on a strict diet.
• Do not want to eat in public or in front of other people.
• Spend a long time in the bathroom after eating.

Causes of bulimia

The cause of bulimia nervosa is not known with certainty. However, health experts claim that the causes of this eating disorder are related to genetics, emotional health, public expectations, and other problems.

Bulimia risk factors

Although the cause of bulimia nervosa is unknown, here are some factors that can increase the risk:

• Adolescence or transition to adulthood;
• Women are more prone to developing this eating disorder than men;
• Have parents or siblings who have a history of eating disorders;
• Being under social pressure, especially the mass media which always shows a thin body posture as a standard of beauty;
• Have mental disorders such as inability to control anger, depression, anxiety disorders, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• Under job stress if you are a model, actress or dancer;
• Pressured to gain a certain weight if you are an athlete.
• In addition, there are also some characteristics and symptoms that are not mentioned above. If you have the same complaint, please consult your doctor.

Bulimia complications

Bulimia nervosa in the long term can cause complications. The most common harmful effects of bulimia are:

• Dehydration which can lead to kidney failure.
• Problems with the heart and blood vessels, such as heart failure or an irregular heartbeat.
• Severe tooth decay, sore throat, and gum disease.
• In women, the menstrual cycle becomes irregular.
• Digestive problems due to overeating as well as holding back hunger.
• Have a personality disorder, bipolar disorder, or other mental illness.
• Low self-esteem and relationships with spouses and people around him deteriorate.
• Self-harm or committing suicide attempts.

Bulimia diagnosis & treatment

The information below is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor; ALWAYS consult a professional doctor.

In order to diagnose the eating disorder bulimia nervosa, the doctor will check your medical record, perform a physical examination, especially pay attention to emotions and diet.

Your doctor may ask you to run an EKG and blood tests to check for disturbances in potassium, magnesium, and other substances in the body.

What are the treatments for bulimia?

When you have this disorder, you may need several types of treatment. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, combining psychotherapy with antidepressants may be the most effective way to treat the condition.

Treatment generally involves a team approach that includes you, your family, care providers, mental health professionals, and nutritionists. You may need a manager to coordinate your care.

The following are treatment options for bulimia:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling to discuss your bulimia with a mental health professional. The types of psychotherapy to treat bulimia are:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is to help you normalize your diet and identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy and positive ones.
• Family-based care, which is therapy to help parents make efforts to stop their teenagers' unhealthy eating behavior, to help teens regain control over their eating, and to help families deal with problems caused by eating disorders.
• Interpersonal psychotherapy, which is therapy for overcoming difficulties in your close relationships, helps improve your communication and problem-solving skills.

Drugs

Antidepressants can help reduce bulimia symptoms when taken in conjunction with psychotherapy measures. The antidepressant is fluoxetine (Prozac), a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which can help even if you are not depressed.

Nutrition education

A dietitian can design a meal plan to help you achieve healthy eating habits, avoid hunger, and cravings. Eating regularly and not limiting food intake is important in overcoming bulimia.

Hospital treatment

Bulimia is a condition that can usually be treated outside the hospital. However, if your symptoms are severe, with serious complications, you may need hospital treatment.

Home treatment of bulimia

In addition to treatment from the hospital, bulimia nervosa patients also need to undergo home care, including:

• Follow a diet directed by a doctor or nutritionist to improve problematic eating behavior and control weight. This includes setting portions and meal times as well as adjusting activities.
• Learn to deal with stress, such as by exercising, meditating, or doing activities that you enjoy.
• Be open about expressing your feelings to your family and therapist. Get regular counseling to a psychologist on a schedule.
• Limiting the use of social media which can adversely affect the patient's psychological condition.

Bulimia prevention

The cause of bulimia nervosa is not known with certainty, making this eating disorder difficult to prevent. However, it needs to be instilled in yourself, your family, your baby, or someone you care about that loving yourself is very necessary.

You don't need to feel inferior and think that your ideal body type is to be thin. You need to know that having a body that is too thin is not healthy and even disturbs health.

If you really want to have the ideal body weight and go on a diet to lose weight, it's a good idea to consult with a doctor or nutritionist first.