Bulimia Nervosa - Symptoms & Treatment

Bulimia nervosa is typically called nervosa an eating disorder characterized by repeated episodes of overeating and a preoccupation with the control of body weight. Someone with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time and then tries to prevent weight gain by purging. Purging might be done in these ways.Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder marked by a destructive pattern of binge-eating and recurrent inappropriate behavior to control one's weight. Intentional purging is done in order to compensate for the excessive intake of the food and to prevent weight gain. Purging typically takes the form of:

• vomiting
• inappropriate use of laxatives , enemas , diuretics or other medication
• excessive exercising
• fasting

Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa's patient are characterized by episodes of binge eating that may occur up to several times a day. Bulimia nervosa include the following symptoms :

• persistent preoccupation with eating and an irresistible craving for food.
• episodes of overeating in which large amounts of food are consumed in short periods of time.
• excessive exercise, induced vomiting after eating, starving for periods of time or taking medicines such as laxatives or diuretics to counteract the bingeing.
• fear of obesity, which is also seen in people with anorexia nervosa, and there is some overlap in the symptoms of these two diseases.
• Dry skin around the mouth and dry lips.
• Blood vessels are broken around eyes due to vomiting.
• Changes in weight gain about 10 pounds every week.
• Cavities increased during binge-eating.
• Small and lesions red in color are found on the palate.
• Change in color of teeth.
• Bleeding from the gums.

Causes of Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa generally affected by Biology, Culture, Personal feelings, Stressful events or life changes and Families. Exactly cause of Bulimia Nervosa is not known by researchers which mostly affected by family disturbance or conflict, abuse, maladaptive learned behavior, struggle for control or self-identity. The pressure to be thin and resulting abnormal eating patterns that are regarded as normal are probably partly to blame, most people with bulimia nervosa maintain a normal body weight. Patients with bulimia nervosa often suffer from low self-esteem. Certainly the desire to be thin and attempts to restrict weight are the triggers that provoke the illness Purging and other behaviors to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and anxiety.

Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa

Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa are basically characterized by often times group psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy, either in a group setting or individual therapy session, has been shown to benefit many persons with bulimia. Treatment is most effective when it is implemented early on in the development of the disorder. Treatment of bulimia nervosa may continue for several years. Inpatient or outpatient treatment includes behavior modification therapy, which may take place in highly structured psycho educational group meetings. There are several residential treatment centers across the country, which offer long term support, counseling, and symptom interruption. Anti-psychotics are also used, but in smaller doses than are used for treating schizophrenia. With an eating disorder, the patient perceives reality differently and has difficulty grasping what it is like to eat normally. Group therapy is especially effective for college-aged and young adult women because of the understanding of the group members.

Prevention tips

• Balanced diet should be taken.
• Avoid more sugar in diet.
• Use baking soda and clean water after vomiting.
• Use artificial saliva and chew more gum that contains no sugar.
• Read magazines on being thin and dieting.