BULIMIA

Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by a secretive cycle of binging and purging to avoid any weight gain. A person who eats a lot of food in a short amount of time is binge eating. People with bulimia feel depressed or guilty after a binge and will get rid of the food by purging.

While binging, the person feels out of control and cannot stop eating. After the binge, the person will purge the food through self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives and/or diuretics, or periods of fasting. Some people with bulimia may swing back and forth between anorexia (a self-starvation eating disorder) and bulimia.

Binge eating is not because of hunger, but rather in response to depression, stress, or other feelings related to their body weight, shape, or food. Many with bulimia have a poor self-image, and may be easily ashamed and depressed.

Eighty percent of bulimia patients are female. The disorder usually starts in the teens or early twenties. People with bulimia often have a normal body weight for their age and height, yet, they may fear gaining weight, desire to lose weight, and feel intensely dissatisfied with their bodies. Because people with this disease "binge and purge" secretly and maintain relatively normal body weight, they can often be successful in hiding their problem for many years. Often, they are afraid to ask for help, because they feel guilty, ashamed, and out of control.

A person with bulimia may:

eat large amounts of food in short periods of time without being able to stop
make frequent trips to the bathroom after eating
vomit, take laxatives, or take enemas
hide food wrappers and containers
exercise a lot after eating and
feel that weight is tied to self-esteem

Bulimics may develop serious health problems such as:

dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
heart problems
kidney problems
teeth problems from vomiting or
stomach and throat problems from vomiting

Bulimia is especially dangerous when vomiting or laxatives are used to remove food from the body. Either habit can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.

It is very important for a person who has bulimia to get help as soon as possible. Admitting the problem is the first step. The next step is talking to a healthcare provider or counselor, who can identify a provider who specializes in treating eating disorders.

Treatment includes a physical exam to search for medical problems. If a person vomits often, medical problems can be serious. Nutrition counseling is important to help the person learn healthy eating habits. Emotional problems, like low self-confidence and depression, need to be treated with group or individual counseling. Sometimes family counseling is necessary.

Anti-depressants may be used to help treat underlying depression and reduce binging. It may take time for total recovery, especially for people who have lived with the eating disorder for many years. The support of family and friends is vital.

For more information, contact:

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders at (847) 831-3438 or visit their website at www.anad.org or
The National Eating Disorders Association at 206-382-3587 or visit their website at www.NationalEatingDisorders.org

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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