Bulimia Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment | Diseases List A-Z

What is Bulimia? Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the sufferer has the urge to consume large amounts of food at one time.

During these eating episodes, the sufferer has no control over stopping it.

After consuming the food, the sufferer will feel ashamed and will want to do anything to expel the food they have consumed.

Sufferers can force themselves to vomit, consume laxatives, and go on extreme diets.

This eating disorder is actually categorized as a mental disorder.

The triggers can vary, from body image issues to depression.

This condition is more likely to be experienced by women than men.

Research estimates that around 8 out of 100 women suffer from this disorder.

Most women are between the ages of 16 and 40.

Symptoms of Bulimia Bulimia symptoms can vary from person to person.

However, the main indication is excessive eating, even though the sufferer does not feel hungry.

This can be triggered by emotional issues, such as experiencing stress or depression.

After overeating, sufferers then feel guilty, regretful, and self-loathing so they do everything they can to get rid of their food.

They may force themselves to vomit or use laxatives to induce a bowel movement.

People with bulimia will usually experience this cycle more than twice a week for at least three months.

In addition to these cycles, this disease can also cause the following symptoms: Very fixated on weight and body shape.

Always have negative thoughts about your own body shape.

Fear of being fat or feeling overweight.

Often loses control when eating, for example continuing to eat until you have a stomach ache or eating excessive portions.

Reluctant to eat in public places or in front of other people.

Often rushing to the bathroom after eating.

Inducing vomiting, especially by inserting fingers into the throat.

Having damaged teeth and gums.

Over-exercising.

Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas after meals.

Using supplements or herbal products to lose weight.

Having cuts, scars or calluses on your knuckles or hands.

Experiencing swelling in the face, cheeks, hands, feet, and lymph nodes.

Causes of Bulimia It is not known for certain why someone might experience this eating disorder.

However, several things are thought to play a role in the development of this condition, namely: Psychological factors The majority of sufferers have low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness, excessive perfectionism, and social anxiety.

Mood disorders such as depression are also contributing factors.

Social and cultural pressures Social and cultural pressures that promote a perfect, thin body image may influence the development of bulimia nervosa.

Mass media, advertising, and unrealistic social norms about physical appearance can contribute to the development of these eating disorders.

Genetic factors Several studies have shown a genetic factor in the development of this condition.

Individuals who have family members with a history of eating disorders or other mental disorders may be at higher risk for developing bulimia.

Environment Traumatic experiences or severe stress in an individual’s life, such as sexual or physical abuse, may contribute to the development of this eating disorder.

Environmental factors such as strict dieting or pressure to lose weight also play a role in its development.

Extreme diet habits Some individuals may begin with a restrictive or extreme diet in an attempt to lose weight, but then end up with binge eating and purging behavior.

Bulimia Risk Factors There are several factors that trigger bulimia nervosa.

These factors include: Psychological problems, such as low self-esteem, depression, stress, anorexia nervosa, wanting to always appear perfect (perfectionism), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Age, these symptoms more often affect adolescents to adults.

Hereditary factors, if one of the immediate family members suffers from bulimia, then the person is at higher risk of experiencing the same disorder.

Female.

According to research, this symptom condition is more often experienced by women than men.

Social demands, for example teenagers who feel they have to lose weight because they are influenced by their friends.

Professional demands, for example models who must be slim or athletes who must strictly maintain their weight.

Diagnosis of Bulimia Most bulimia sufferers are reluctant to talk about their condition because they are ashamed and hate themselves for their behavior.

However, this disorder needs to be treated immediately because it can be life-threatening.

Before diagnosing bulimia, the doctor will ask the sufferer and their family about any symptoms that appear.

After that, the doctor continues with a physical examination by checking the condition of teeth that are damaged or eroded due to exposure to acid in vomit.

The doctor will also check your eyes to see if there are any broken blood vessels in the eye.

The reason is, that vomiting too often can cause the blood vessels in the eyes to tense up and be at risk of rupturing.

People with bulimia also often have small sores and calluses on the tops of their finger joints.

This is because sufferers often force themselves to get food out of their bodies by vomiting food.

This habit of vomiting can be dangerous for sufferers.

Because Bulimia Sufferers Are Vulnerable to Mallory Weiss Syndrome.

Blood and urine tests are also needed to check whether a person is experiencing dehydration or electrolyte disturbances.

Complications of Bulimia If left untreated, bulimia can trigger serious complications and even be fatal.

Frequent vomiting can damage teeth (due to stomach acid) and trigger swelling of the salivary glands.

Likewise with sore throat and bad breath.

Malnutrition is also a serious complication of this disease.

These complications can trigger dehydration, difficulty getting pregnant due to irregular menstrual cycles, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, kidney failure, and heart failure.

Meanwhile, uncontrolled use of laxatives can cause damage to the digestive organs and disrupt the balance of the body’s natural compound levels.

This imbalance has the potential to trigger fatigue, weakness, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

Other risks of complications that sufferers may face include: Rupture of the stomach or esophagus.

Disorders of bowel habits.

Decreased sex drive.

Suicidal ideation due to depression due to thinking about body image or receiving criticism from others.

Alcohol or drug abuse.

Gastroparesis, where the stomach takes a long time to digest food.

Bulimia Treatment The goal of bulimia treatment is to eliminate deviant behaviors, such as excessive food consumption and vomiting.

However, there is a suspicion that Bulimia Eating Disorder Cannot Be Cured, Is That True? In fact, this condition is very treatable.

Doctors will usually work with psychiatrists and nutritionists to help people with bulimia.

Treatment involves medication combined with therapy.

There are two types of therapy that doctors may recommend: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.

Through CBT, people with bulimia learn to recognize bulimia triggers, such as negative thoughts and behaviors, and then learn to replace them with positive, healthy thoughts.

Meanwhile, interpersonal therapy will help to detect problems in relating to other people, as well as improving the ability to communicate and solve problems.

To reduce symptoms, doctors sometimes combine the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs with therapy.

Bulimia Prevention There is no surefire way to prevent bulimia.

However, making healthy lifestyle changes and seeking treatment as soon as possible can prevent bulimia from getting worse.

Other tips that might help include: Cultivate self-love or loving yourself no matter what size or shape your body is.

Build your confidence in ways other than showing your body image.

Enjoy family meals.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle such as exercising regularly and consuming healthy foods.

Avoid diets, especially those involving unhealthy weight control behaviors, using weight loss supplements or laxatives.

Seek medical help if you experience early signs of an eating disorder.

This can help prevent it from progressing.

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