EATING DISORDER

 

BULIMIA NERVOSA (BN)

We humans have a strong connection with the food we eat as it helps in our growth and development. But there are people suffering from different types of eating disorders. These eating disorders are considered as consequential psychiatric sickness which is commonly seen in adolescence or in young adults. Moreover, some people anticipate that eating disorders are associated with lifestyle choices. It is not true as eating disorders may show some catastrophic effect that may lead to an imbalance in a person’s whole eating pattern. There are certain indicators of eating disorders like passion towards food, body weight, and shape. Frequently occurring eating disorders involve anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. In this article, we will discuss bulimia nervosa in detail.

Bulimia nervosa is a sort of eating disorder because of which an individual ingests food in an immense amount within a short duration followed by purging what was consumed to abstain any kind of weight gain. Purging methods may include self-induced vomiting, extravagant use of diuretics or laxatives and intense exercise. Bulimic individuals are often able to mask their disorder from others for a prolonged period as they carry out bingeing or purging episodes secretly. People suffering from bulimia nervosa adapt to these behaviors in order to avoid weight gain.

• TYPES OF BULIMIA NERVOSA

There are basically two major types of bulimia nervosa:-

Purging type: In this type, people compensate the overeating behavior by self- induced vomiting or excessive use of laxatives, diuretics or related substances. Majority of the population suffers from this type of eating disorder.

Non-Purging type: Conversely, here individual approach for alternative options (like intense exercise) to compensate the binge episodes.

• CAUSES OF BULIMIA NERVOSA

The precise causes of this eating disorder are unknown but there are various factors responsible for its development. Some of the main causes of bulimia are outlined below:-

- Inferiority related to body shape
- Lifestyle changes
- Poor self-esteem
- Occupation where appearance plays a vital role e.g. modeling

• SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

“Bulimia Nervosa: Causes, Symptoms, Signs & Treatment Help” 2018 mentioned some sign and symptoms such as:

Physical sign and symptoms of bulimia nervosa are:
-Constant weight fluctuation
- Imbalance of electrolytes that leads to cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest , etc.
- Enlargement of glands in the neck and under the jawline
- Oral trauma like mouth laceration
- Chronic dehydration
- Weakness, exhaustion, and bloodshot eyes
- Indigestion, heartburn due to acid reflux and bloating

Signs and symptoms of purging and binge eating are:
- Recurrent use of washrooms after meals
- Consuming hidden food
- No self-control during eating
- Vomiting smell
- Alteration between a phase of overeating and fasting.

• TREATMENT FOR BULIMIA NERVOSA

The main aim in treating a bulimic individual is to stop the binge eating and purging episodes. Other objectives include:
- Fabricate a healthy attitude towards food
- Form a nutritional meal pattern.
- Prevent relapsing
- Acquire self-confidence