Every year, millions of Americans suffer from serious eating disorders, sometimes pose a threat to his life. More than 90 percent of those affected are female adolescents and young adults. The reason that women of this age are especially vulnerable to eating disorders is the tendency to follow strict diets to achieve a figure "ideal." Researchers have concluded that these diets can be as stringent as a key factor in triggering eating disorders.
The consequences of such disorders can be serious: 5 percent to 20 percent of cases of anorexia nervosa cause death by starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications or suicide.
Knowing more about the dangers of eating disorders (thanks to medical studies and extensive coverage of this disease by the media) has led many to seek help. However, some people who suffer from eating disorders refuse to admit they have a problem and refuse treatment.
What is bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa, bulimia usually called, is defined as uncontrolled episodes of eating in excess (binge) followed normally purges (self-vomiting), misuse of laxatives, enemas, or drugs that produce an increase in the production of urine, fasting or excessive exercise to control weight. The binge in this situation is defined as eating much larger quantities of foods that normally consume in a short period of time (usually less than two hours). The binge of food are produced at least twice a week for three months and may even occur several times a day.
What causes bulimia?
There is no known cause of bulimia. Among the factors contributing to the development of bulimia include cultural ideals and social attitudes with regard to physical appearance, the self based on body weight and figure, and family problems. Thirty to 50 percent of people bulimic also meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa at the start of their illness.
Who is affected by bulimia?
Most of the bulimic women and adolescents from a high socioeconomic group. All the Western industrial countries have reported cases of bulimia. It is estimated that between 1 and 4 percent of U.S. women are diagnosed bulimia. Adolescents who develop bulimia are often from families where there is a history of eating disorders, physical illness and other mental health problems such as mood disorders or substance abuse. Other mental health problems such as anxiety disorders or mood disorders, are commonly found in people who have bulimia.
To family, friends and doctors can be difficult to detect bulimia at some known berth because these individuals are purged of food and in secret. Often, they are able to maintain a normal body weight or more, but they can hide their problem from others for years. Bulimic Many people do not seek help until they reach the age of 30 or 50 years, when their eating behavior is deeply rooted and more difficult to amend.
What are some common characteristics of people who have bulimia?
Most people with eating disorders share certain personality traits and rituals developed abnormal food as a means to manage stress and anxiety. Often, personality traits may include, inter alia, the following:
Low self-esteem.
Feeling of despair.
Fear of gaining weight.
People who suffer from bulimia (binge and compulsive disorder) typically consume huge amounts of food at once, overall food "junk" to reduce stress and relieve anxiety.
However, after so compulsive eating, they feel guilty and depressed.
The purgation offers relief, but it is only temporary.
Individuals who have bulimia are usually impulsive and tend to engage in high-risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse.
What are the different types of bulimia?
Listed below are the two subgroups of anorectic behavior aimed at reducing caloric intake:
Type laxative - regularly practiced self vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other cathartic (which, through its chemical effects, help to empty the intestinal contents).
Non purgative - used other inappropriate behavior, such as fasting or excessive physical activity, rather than practical purgatives, to reduce heat absorption of the massive amounts of food.
What are the symptoms of bulimia?
Listed below are the most common symptoms of bulimia. However, each individual may experience a different way. Symptoms may include:
Body weight is usually normal or lower (sees himself overweight).
Repeated episodes of excessive eating (rapid consumption of excessive amounts of food in a relatively short period, usually in secret), along with the fear of not being able to stop eating during episodes of excesses.
Self vomiting (usually in secret).
Excessive exercise or fasting.
Peculiar eating habits or rituals.
Misuse of laxatives, diuretics or other cathartic.
Absence or irregularity of menstruation.
Anxiety.
Feelings of disappointment related to dissatisfaction with themselves and the appearance of your body.
Depression.
Concern about food, weight and body shape.
Scars on the back of the fingers due to the process of self vomiting.
Trying to achieve higher than expected.
The symptoms of bulimia may resemble those of other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your doctor for diagnosis.
How is it diagnosed bulimia?
The parents, relatives, spouses, teachers, coaches and trainers may be able to identify the individual who has anorexia, although many people with the disorder initially keep their illness hidden and very private. A detailed history of individual behavior on the part of the family, parents and teachers, clinical observations of individual behavior and, sometimes, a psychological test to help make the diagnosis. Family members who observe symptoms of anorexia in a loved one can seek an assessment and treatment. Early treatment can often prevent future problems.
Bulimia, and malnutrition resulting can adversely affect almost every system of organs of the body, increasing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Bulimia can be deadly. Ask your doctor for more information.
Treatment of bulimia:
The specific treatment of bulimia will be determined by your doctor based on the following:
Their age, overall health status and medical history.
How advanced are the symptoms.
Their tolerance to certain drugs, procedures or therapies.
Their expectations for the trajectory of the condition.
Your opinion or preference.
Bulimia is usually treated with a combination of individual therapy, family therapy, behavior modification and nutritional rehabilitation. The treatment should always be based on a thorough assessment of the individual and his family. Individual therapy usually includes cognitive and behavioral techniques. Medications (usually antidepressants or anti-anxiety) could be useful if the person who has bulimia is also anxious or depressed. The frequency of occurrence of medical complications during the course of rehabilitation treatment requires teamwork and an active medical nutritionist. The family plays a vital supporting role in any treatment process.
Medical complications commonly associated with bulimia nervosa:
Medical complications that can arise from bulimia can include, inter alia, the following:
Ruptured stomach.
The purging can lead to heart failure due to loss of vital minerals such as potassium.
Vomiting causes other less deadly, but serious, including:
Vomiting acid wears the outer layer of teeth.
Scars on the back of the hand when the fingers are inserted into the throat to induce vomiting.
The esophagus is inflamed.
The glands near the cheeks swollen.
Irregular menstrual cycles.
Decreased libido.
People can fight and addictions or compulsive behaviors.
Many people with bulimia also suffer from clinical depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and other psychiatric illnesses.
Increased risk of suicidal behavior.
Biochemistry and eating disorders:
To better understand eating disorders, researchers have studied the neuroendocrine system, which is formed by a combination of central nervous system and hormonal systems.
The neuroendocrine system regulates the various functions of the mind and body. It has been discovered that many of the following regulatory mechanisms may be, to some extent, altered in people with eating disorders:
Sexual function.
Physical growth and development.
Appetite and digestion.
Sleep.
The cardiac function.
Renal function.
The emotions.
Thinking.
Memory.
Eating disorders and depression:
Many people with eating disorders also suffer from depression and it is believed that these two conditions can be linked. For example:
In the central nervous system chemical messengers called neurotransmitters control hormone production. It has been discovered that the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, which function abnormally in people who have depression, have decreased levels in patients suffering from severe anorexia and bulimia in patients recovered from anorexia in the long term.
It has been shown that some patients with anorexia may respond well to antidepressant drugs that affect the role of serotonin in the body.
People who have anorexia or certain forms of depression, seem to have higher than normal cortisol, a brain hormone released in response to stress. It has been shown that high levels of cortisol, in people with anorexia and in those with depression, are the cause of a problem that occurs on or near the hypothalamus in the brain.
Biochemical similarities were found among people with eating disorders and those with obsessive compulsive disorder (its acronym in English is OCD), which are often abnormal eating habits.
The hormone vasopressin is another brain chemical that is altered in people who have eating disorders and OCD. Insulin levels are elevated in patients with OCD, anorexia and bulimia.
Genetic factors / environmental-related eating disorders:
Because these disorders are often members of the same family and that often women are the most affected, it is believed that genetic factors play a role in them.
But other factors, both behavioral and environmental, may also have an important influence. Consider these data from the National Institute of Mental Health (National Institute of Mental Health):
According to a recent study, mothers who have too much body weight and physical attractiveness of their daughters can subject them to greater risk of developing an eating disorder. In addition, girls who have eating disorders often have a father, or brothers who criticize too much weight.
Although most victims of anorexia and bulimia are adolescent and young adult women, these diseases can also attack the men and older women.
Anorexia and bulimia affect mostly Caucasian people, but these diseases affect people of African and other races.
People who engage in professions or activities that emphasize thinness, as the profession as a model, dance, gymnastics, wrestling and long distance races are more susceptible to these disorders.
Unlike other eating disorders, from third to one fourth of all patients who suffer from compulsive disorder binge are men. Preliminary studies indicate that the condition affects both Caucasian and African American people.
Prevention of bulimia:
To date, no known preventive measures to reduce the incidence of bulimia. However, early detection and intervention can reduce the severity of symptoms, stimulate the process of normal growth and development, and improving the quality of life for adolescents with bulimia. Encourage healthy eating habits and attitudes with regard to a reasonable weight and diet can also be helpful.
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