Bulimia
Bulimia or Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder. The disorder is characterized by binging, followed by purging, or strenuous exercising. The person secretly consumes a lot of food and then tries to control weight by means of vomiting, or using enemas, diuretics etc. Contrary to Anorexia where the person is on a strict diet, a bulimic person undergoes a cycle of overeating and purging. Like Anorexia it is a psychological ailment, and mostly follows a series of failed dieting attempts.
Young women, teenage girls and even men are found to suffer from the disorder, and the patients are prone to substance abuse and other compulsions. There is serious fluctuation in body weight, though not as pronounced in the case of Anorexia. Bulimics recover fast, but most of them display slightly irregular eating patterns for some time after recovery.
People binge eat for comfort, it occurs on account of depression or stress, or as an aftermath of a rigorous diet, and being ashamed of the excessive junk food intake they are secretive about it. However binging gives way to the feeling of guilt, and the person ends up feeling miserable on account of the food consumed for comfort. Binging is not always followed by purging, and some starve themselves and exercise excessively to be back in control.
Cause of Bulimia has not yet been determined. Women who are unhappy with their figure try to reduce weight through dieting, and many unsuccessful attempts at dieting may lead to the disorder. Patients of depression eat excessively, but it however has no connection to dissatisfaction with their appearance. Chemical imbalance in the brain is found to be a physiological reason for the ailment.
It is difficult to diagnose Bulimia because people are secretive, and tend to deny the fact that they are ailing. However monitoring the person may reveal that she is eating lot of food, at intervals less than two hours and she makes frequent trips to the toilet, in order to counter the binging by means of purging. Bulimics may exercise strenuously for hours despite being unwell. And the exercise regimes may interfere with the normal day to day activities. The cycle of eating and purging has to occur for at least three months, twice a week, as result of obsession with body image, to be diagnosed as bulimia.
Bulimia causes irregular periods, due to constant variation in weight and lack of proper nutrition. Teeth, gums and salivary glands are affected due to vomiting. The digestive system suffers the most on account of the ailment. Ulcers or strictures are formed in the food pipe, diuretics can cause fluid retention in the body, use of laxatives affect the bowel function, and there occurs electrolyte imbalance
In critical cases the patients are hospitalized to solve the complications brought about by the disorder. Psychiatrists or clinical psychologists administer anti depressants, which are found to be effective. In some cases counseling by counselors or psychologists are found to produce results.
Treatment aims at restoring the health of the patient, by curbing the damages to the body and normalizing the eating pattern. After this the psychological issues are addressed and the person is encouraged to alter the body image and nurture self confidence. Forums and support groups play a part in motivating the person. Family and friends play a major role in bringing back stability to the life of a bulimic and help her lead a healthy life.
