Bulimia is an eating disorder which can be treated to a greater extent by giving an emotional support. Know more about bulimia, its causes, symptoms and treatments. Our body is our real companion, right from birth and till death. It is our actual identity. However there are many people in this world who are not satisfied about their physical appearance. Because of this dissatisfaction many of them prefer new diet plans, exercises or putting on some weight. Some become so obsessed with having a body of their desire that they become victims of overeating or starvation. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are very important for body but overdoing such things can result in serious disorders. In most of the cases this happens when people ignore the importance of staying healthy. The more important thing for them is either losing weight or gaining weight. One such disorder which is caused due to improper eating habits is Bulimia. Read on and know more about this eating disorder. In this articleWhat is bulimia?Causes of bulimiaSymptoms of bulimiaRisks associated with bulimiaTreatments for bulimia What is bulimia? Bulimia is a psychological eating disorder which is also known as bulimia nervosa. The person is affected by bulimia when he or she is depressed, stressed or has some self esteem problems. The disorder has no relation with hunger but the affected person consumes larger quantities of food as compared to normal individuals. This type of food eating habit is known as binge eating. Purging is often followed by binge eating in person affected by bulimia. Purging refers to usage of laxatives and diuretics, vomiting, fasting or too much of exercising. The cycle of being-eating and purging is an important characteristic of bulimia. This is all about forcing ones own self to control weight. Causes of bulimia The exact causes of bulimia are not known but it can be influenced by the following factors Fear of becoming an obese Dissatisfaction about the physical appearance Stress Frustration Lack of self control Symptoms of bulimia Though person suffering from bulimia look normal and have normal weight, they can show following symptoms. Consuming excessive food (binge-eating) Controlling diet very strictly Following improper method for controlling weight Delayed menstruation cycle Performing forceful exercises Occurrence of blood in vomit Need of using toilet repeatedly Fasting frequently Digestion problems Risks associated with bulimia The symptoms which are common in people suffering with bulimia disorder can result in some complications. Binge-eating and purging can result in the risks as follows. Swollen salivary glands or soreness in salivary glands Tooth decay Ulcers in stomach and other stomach problems Esophagus disorders Frequent exposure of food containing some acids can cause tooth enamel erosion Heart attack in case of severe bulimia or abnormal heart beats Treatments for bulimia Bulimia can be treated to a greater extent. The treatment of a bulimic patient involves helping patient to control or stop binge-eating and purging cycle and dealing with emotional issues. This issue of treatment can be handled effectively with the help of an expert. Along with the treatments, taking patient away from stress and mental tension can help faster recovery. Some medications prescribed by the expert can also aid to the treatment of the bulimic patient. The treatment of the bulimic patient should also be supplemented by emotional support, love and care. It is very critical to make the patient understand the importance of healthy body over reducing or increasing weight. However, people closely associated with the patient also need to posses patience and tolerance. These two qualities are essential as patient may behave indifferently because of stress. Understanding such behaviour is also important for treating a person coping with bulimia. Treating bulimia is all about changing the mindset of a bulimic patient.
Bulimia is an eating disorder which can be treated to a greater extent by giving an emotional support. Know more about bulimia, its causes, symptoms and treatments. Our body is our real companion, right from birth and till death. It is our actual identity. However there are many people in this world who are not satisfied about their physical appearance. Because of this dissatisfaction many of them prefer new diet plans, exercises or putting on some weight. Some become so obsessed with having a body of their desire that they become victims of overeating or
starvation.
Regular exercise and a
balanced diet are very important for body but overdoing such things can result in serious disorders. In most of the cases this happens when people ignore the importance of staying healthy. The more important thing for them is either
losing weight or
gaining weight. One such disorder which is caused due to improper eating habits is Bulimia. Read on and know more about this
eating disorder.
What is bulimia?
Bulimia is a psychological eating disorder which is also known as bulimia nervosa. The person is affected by bulimia when he or she is depressed, stressed or has some self esteem problems. The disorder has no relation with hunger but the affected person consumes larger quantities of food as compared to normal individuals. This type of food eating habit is known as binge eating.
Purging is often followed by binge eating in person affected by bulimia. Purging refers to usage of laxatives and diuretics, vomiting, fasting or too much of exercising. The cycle of being-eating and purging is an important characteristic of bulimia. This is all about forcing ones own self to control weight.
Causes of bulimia
The exact causes of bulimia are not known but it can be influenced by the following factors
- Fear of becoming an obese
- Dissatisfaction about the physical appearance
- Stress
- Frustration
- Lack of self control
Symptoms of bulimia
Though person suffering from bulimia look normal and have normal weight, they can show following symptoms.
- Consuming excessive food (binge-eating)
- Controlling diet very strictly
- Following improper method for controlling weight
- Delayed menstruation cycle
- Performing forceful exercises
- Occurrence of blood in vomit
- Need of using toilet repeatedly
- Fasting frequently
- Digestion problems
Risks associated with bulimia
The symptoms which are common in people suffering with bulimia disorder can result in some complications. Binge-eating and purging can result in the risks as follows.
- Swollen salivary glands or soreness in salivary glands
- Tooth decay
- Ulcers in stomach and other stomach problems
- Esophagus disorders
- Frequent exposure of food containing some acids can cause tooth enamel erosion
- Heart attack in case of severe bulimia or abnormal heart beats
Treatments for bulimia
Bulimia can be treated to a greater extent. The treatment of a bulimic patient involves helping patient to control or stop binge-eating and purging cycle and dealing with emotional issues. This issue of treatment can be handled effectively with the help of an expert. Along with the treatments, taking patient away from stress and mental tension can help faster recovery. Some medications prescribed by the expert can also aid to the treatment of the bulimic patient.
The treatment of the bulimic patient should also be supplemented by emotional support, love and care. It is very critical to make the patient understand the importance of
healthy body over reducing or increasing weight. However, people closely associated with the patient also need to posses patience and tolerance. These two qualities are essential as patient may behave indifferently because of stress. Understanding such behaviour is also important for treating a person coping with bulimia. Treating bulimia is all about changing the mindset of a bulimic patient.
