Bulimia nervosa- is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging.

Bulimia nervosa

Simply it is called bulimia; it is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. People with bulimia may secretly binge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way, eating large amounts of food and then purge.

Types of Bulimia: It can be categorized into two ways:

·        Purging bulimia: The patients regularly misuse laxatives, self-induce vomiting or using of diuretics or enemas after bingeing.

·        Non purging bulimia: Use of other methods to rid of calories and prevent weight gain, such as strict dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.

Symptoms

·        Eating until the point of discomfort or pain

·        Feeling that can't control eating behavior

·        Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal snack or meal

·        Forcing by self to vomit or exercise too much to keep from gaining weight after bingeing

·        Restricting calories or avoiding certain foods between binges

·        Misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating

·        Using herbal products or dietary supplements excessively for weight loss

Causes: Emotional health, societal expectations and other disorders.

Risk factors

·        Age

·        Being female 

·        Biology  

·         Psychological and emotional issues

·        Societal pressure and Media- The media, such as TV and fashion magazines, frequently feature a parade of skinny models and actors.

·        Sports, work or artistic pressures. Athletes, actors, dancers and models are at a higher risk of eating disorders.

Complications

·        Absent or irregular periods in females

·        Dehydration

·        Digestive problems, and possibly a dependence on laxatives

·        Cardiac  problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure

·        Misuse of alcohol or drugs

·        Severe tooth decay and gum disease

·        Anxiety and depression

·        Suicide

Diagnosis:

·        A complete physical exam

·        Blood test

·        A psychological evaluation, including a discussion of eating habits and attitude toward food

·         Urine analysis

Treatment:

• Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, involves discussing about bulimia and related issues. Evidence indicates that these types of psychotherapy help to improve symptoms of bulimia.

·        Cognitive behavioral therapy to identify negative beliefs, unhealthy and behaviors and replace them with positive thoughts and healthy.

·        Family-based therapy is applied to help parents intervene to stop unhealthy eating behaviors in their teenager's.

·        Interpersonal psychotherapy, which addresses difficulties in close relationships, helping to improve communication and problem-solving skills

• Medications: Antidepressants (fluoxetine) may help reduce the symptoms of bulimia when used along with psychotherapy.

Bulimia, bingeing behaviors, compensatory behavior, self-induced vomiting

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa.htm

http://www.something-fishy.org/whatarethey/bulimia.php

http://www.bulimia.com/topics/bulimia/

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000341.htm

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/bulimia

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/bulimia-nervosa

http://www.timberlineknolls.com/eating-disorder/bulimia/signs-effects/