Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa, commonly known as bulimia

2007-06-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

Bulimia nervosa, commonly known as bulimia by Arthur Buchanan

Bulimia nervosa, commonly known as bulimia, is an eating disorder. It is a psychological condition in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by an intentional purging. This 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; and excessive physical exercise.

New research suggests that some sufferers may have a hormonal imbalance of testosterone; however, this research is in its early stages. The word bulimia comes from the the Latin (būlīmia) from the Greek βουλῑμια (boulīmia), ravenous hunger, compounded from βους (bous), ox + λῑμος (līmos), hunger.

Contents

* 1 DSM-IV-TR criteria * 2 History of bulimia nervosa * 3 Causes * 4 Environmental factors * 5 Patterns of bulimic cycles * 6 Subtypes of bulimia * 7 Consequences of bulimia nervosa * 8 Diagnosis * 9 Related psychological disorders * 10 Differences between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa * 11 Treatment of bulimia nervosa * 12 Mortality risk * 13 At-risk groups * 14 Prevention * 15 See also * 16 References * 17 External links

DSM-IV-TR criteria

The following five criteria should be met for a patient to be diagnosed with bulimia nervosa:

1. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:

1. Eating, in a fixed period of time (e.g., within any two-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.

2. A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).

2. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.

3. The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months.

4. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.

5. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa

History of bulimia nervosa Bulimia nervosa was first described by Gerald Russell in 1977 while he worked at the Royal Free Hospital, London. Bulimia nervosa has been recognized as an autonomous eating disorder by the American Psychiatric Association since 1980 [2]. The word "bulimia" is Latin, getting its roots from the Greek word "boulimia" which directly translates to mean "extreme hunger" .

Causes

Bulimia is often less about food, and more to do with deep psychological issues and profound feelings of lack of control. Binge/purge episodes can be severe, sometimes involving rapid and out of control feeding that can stop when the sufferers "are interrupted by another person" or when their stomach hurts from over-extension. This cycle may be repeated several times a week or, in serious cases, several times a day.[4] Sufferers can often "use the destructive eating pattern to gain control over their lives"[5].

Environmental factors

The disorder is more prevalent in Caucasian groups, but is becoming a rising problem in the African American and Hispanic communities. Women account for 90% of the patients that suffer from the disorder. There are higher rates of eating disorders in groups involved in activities that put an emphasis on thinness and body type (such as gymnastics, dance and cheerleading,figure skating and other sports). [6]

Patterns of bulimic cycle

The frequency of bulimic cycles will vary from person to person; the severely ill might binge and purge several times a day. Some people may vomit automatically after they have eaten any food. Others will eat socially but may be bulimic in private. Some people do not regard their illness as a problem, while others despise and fear the vicious and uncontrollable cycle they are in.

Subtypes of bulimia

The specific subtypes of bulimia are distinguished by the way the bulimic relieves themselves of the binge.

Purging type

The purging type involves self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, tapeworms, enemas, or ipecac, as a means of rapidly extricating the contents from their body. This type is generally more found, and can use one or more of the above methods. [8] Non-Purging Type

This type of bulimia is rarely found (occurring in only approximately 6%-8% of cases), as it is a less effective means of ridding the body of such a large number of calories. This type of bulimia involves engaging in excessive exercise or fasting following a binge in order to counteract the large amount of calories previously ingested. This is frequently observed in purging-type bulimics as well, however this method is, by definition, not their primary form of weight control following a binge.

Consequences of bulimia nervosa

Bulimia can result in following health problems: * Malnutrition * Dehydration * Electrolyte imbalance * Hyponatremia * Damaging of the voice * Vitamin and mineral deficiencies * Teeth erosion and cavities, gum disease * Sialadenosis (salivary gland swelling) * Potential for gastric rupture during periods of binging * Esophageal reflux * Irritation, inflammation, and possible rupture of the esophagus * Laxative dependence * Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis * Emetic toxicity due to ipecac abuse * Swelling of the face and cheeks, especially apparent in the lower eyelids due to the high pressure of blood in the face during vomiting. * Callused or bruised fingers * Dry or brittle skin, hair, and nails, or hair loss * Lanugo * Edema * Muscle atrophy * Decreased/increased bowel activity * Digestive problems that may be triggered, including Celiac,

Crohn's Disease

* Low blood pressure, hypotension * Orthostatic hypotension * High blood pressure, hypertension * Iron deficiency, anemia * Hormonal imbalances * Hyperactivity * Depression * Insomnia * Amenorrhea * Infertility * Polycystic Ovary Syndrome * High risk pregnancy, miscarriage, still-born babies * Diabetes * Elevated blood sugar or hyperglycemia * Ketoacidosis * Osteoporosis * Arthritis * Weakness and fatigue * Chronic Fatigue Syndrome * Cancer of the throat or voice box * Liver failure * Kidney infection and failure * Heart failure, heart arrhythmia, angina * Seizure * Paralysis * Potential death caused by heart attack or heart failure; lung collapse; internal bleeding, stroke, kidney failure, liver failure; pancreatitis, gastric rupture, perforated ulcer, depression and suicide.

Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, all six of the criteria listed in the DSM are required for a classic diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. However, these symptoms are often difficult to spot, especially since, unlike anorexia nervosa, in order to be classified as bulimic the person must be of normal or higher weight. Likewise, the person is less likely to drop a significant amount of weight on a continual basis as does the anorexic, making the physical symptoms less noticeable, despite the fact that internal bodily functions are suffering.

Because this disorder carries a great deal of shame, the bulimic will desperately try to hide their symptoms from family and friends. This disorder is more likely to span over a lifetime unnoticed, causing a great deal of isolation and stress for the suffering individual. Despite the frequent lack of obvious physical symptoms, bulimia nervosa has proven to be fatal, as malnutrition takes a serious toll on every organ in your body. If any of the symptoms above are noticed one should consult with a doctor or psychologist for further assistance

[edit] Related psychological disorders

It is not uncommon that a patient with bulimia nervosa will also have some anxiety or mood disorder as well. Most commonly associated with bulimia is the incidence of anxiety, one study noted this in 75% of bulimic patients. Also prominent in bulimic patients are mood disorders, most commonly depression as well as substance abuse issues. However recent research suggest that depression is a consequence of the eating disorder itself, rather than the other way around. [11]. They are also more likely to attempt suicide, and engage in impulsive behaviors.

[edit] Differences between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa The main criteria differences involve weight, as an anorexic must technically be classified as underweight (defined as a BMI < 18.5, though to be diagnosed with anorexia, the patient generally must have a BMI of less than 17.5).

Typically an anorexic is defined by the refusal to maintain a normal weight by self-starvation. Another criterion which must usually be met is amenorrhea, the loss of a female's menstrual cycle not caused by the normal cessation of menstruation during menopause for a period of three months. Generally the anorexic does not engage in regular binging and purging sessions, though they may occur. In the rare instance that this is observed, that is, the patient binges and purges as well as fails to maintain a minimum weight, they are classified as a purging anorexic, due to the underweight criterion being met and cessation of menstruation.
About the Author

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Bulimia Nervosa - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

2007-06-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

Bulimia Nervosa - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment by Juliet Cohen

Bulimia nervosa, also known is bulimia. Bulimia word is comes from the Latin (bulimia) from the Greek. It is eating disorder. Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Because it's so intimately entwined with self-image -- it's not just about food -- bulimia can be difficult to overcome. Person with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time (binges) and then tries to prevent weight gain by getting rid of the food, called purging. This 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; and excessive physical exercise.

Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, or addictions. Bulimia is often less about food, and more to do with deep psychological issues.About 6% of teen girls and 5% of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia. Approximately 10% of identified bulimic patients are men. Binge/purge episodes can be severe, sometimes involving rapid and out of control feeding that can stop when the sufferers "are interrupted by another person" or when their stomach hurts from over-extension. This cycle may be repeated several times a week or, in serious cases, several times a day. Unlike anorexics, bulimics experience significant weight fluctuations, but their weight loss is usually not as severe or obvious as anorexics.

Causes of Bulimia Nervosa 1.Genetic contribution.

2.Eating disorders ( anorexia and bulimia).

3.Certain neurological or medical conditions.

4.Depression.

5.Anxity.

6.Harmones imbalances (Testosterone and low estrogen levels).
About the Author

Juliet Cohen writes articles for health doctor. She also writes articles for depression treatment and cancer treatment.

Bulimia Nervosa

2007-06-23T05:28:00.000-07:00

Bulimia Nervosa by Scott Mogul

Bulimia nervosa (sometimes just called bulimia) is an eating disorder in which a person eats a lot of food in a short period of time (binges) and then tries to get rid of the food to prevent weight gain (purges). They may purge by vomiting or by using laxatives to make the food leave their system faster so less of it gets absorbed.

Consequences of bulimia

The consequences of bulimia are very serious. Over time it weakens the heart muscle and can lead to heart failure. It causes low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. It can cause dehydration and low levels of potassium, magnesium and sodium in the body. It causes anemia. It can cause hormonal imbalances leading to an irregular or absent menstrual period in women.

Bulimia nervosa can cause constipation, diarrhea, and other intestinal problems. The acidic content of vomit damages the teeth and the esophagus. It can also cause stomach ulcers and sores inside the mouth. It can even cause the stomach to rupture.

Bulimia also causes muscle weakness and fatigue. People with bulimia lack energy for daily activities and may become withdrawn and lethargic.

Depression, anxiety, feelings of shame, and low self-esteem may contribute to causing bulimia nervosa, but these feelings may also be consequences of bulimia. It can become a vicious circle.

Bulimia signs

Bulimia signs include:

· Binge eating (eating a lot at one time- this is often done in private, though, so you might not recognize it if it is happening to someone you know) · Going to the bathroom all the time after eating (to throw up) · Using diet pills or laxatives a lot · Exercising obsessively · A combination of the health problems discussed earlier

Other signs of bulimia nervosa include signs of throwing up a lot, such as:

· Swollen cheeks · Broken blood vessels in the eyes · Teeth that look clear (from damage to the tooth enamel from acid in vomit) · Calluses or scrapes on knuckles (if using fingers to induce vomiting)

Women are more likely to be bulimic than men. About 90% or more of all bulimics are female. Men can also have the disorder, though.

People who are bulimic may be underweight but they may also be of normal weight, so it's hard to use weight as a criterion to tell is someone might be suffering from bulimia. If someone seems obsessed about his or her body weight that might be an indication of an eating disorder, though.

People with bulimia nervosa may appear moody or sad. They often obsess about their weight and their appearance. They often have low self-esteem and struggle with feelings of worthlessness. They may withdraw from social situations. They may be self-conscious about their appearance and their eating habits. Social isolation and withdrawal are some other consequences of bulimia.

Treatment

Because the consequences of bulimia are so severe, it is important to get medical treatment if you or someone you know has symptoms of bulimia nervosa. Both medical and psychological treatment is generally needed in order to resolve the condition.

Medical treatment will address the physical damage done by the bulimia. It will treat any heart conditions, chemical imbalances, or other conditions caused by the bulimia nervosa. A registered dietician will design a healthy eating plan. Education will be provided to the patient about their condition and the importance of eating properly.

Psychological treatment will assist the patient in dealing with the issues that led to the development of bulimia and will help him or her develop new coping skills. Psychological treatment is very important; without it, medical treatment alone is unlikely to be successful.

For more information about eating disorders and treatment, please visit This website is dedicated to raising awareness and providing information on Eating Disorders.
About the Author

Teenage Eating Disorders - Do You Know The Signs?

2007-06-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Title: Teenage Eating Disorders - Do You Know The Signs ?

Author: Aurelia Williams

Article:

Unfortunately, today's society puts much emphasis on physical
appearance and teenagers are probably the most susceptible to
the thought that everyone has to be skinny to be pretty and
accepted. We, as parents, know this is not true and it's what's
on the inside that matters most. Regardless of the amount of
time and care we put into getting them to see otherwise, many
teens just don't believe this is true.

As the parent of a teenager there are many negative things that
you need to be aware of and look out for in order to help your
child as quickly as possible, should they get mixed up in these
harmful situations. One of those is eating disorders, such as
anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

If you sense your teen has a problem, but can't put your finger
on what exactly is wrong, here are a few warning signs that you
might have an eating disorder on your hands. The sooner you
respond to these signs the sooner your teen can start the
journey to being healthy again.

Signs your teen may be suffering from Anorexia

Starvation Fear of gaining weight that is severe and persistent
Refusing to eat or extremely restricted eating Continual and
obsessive dieting Excessive body hair due to the lack of protein
Obsessively exercising Weight loss that is out of the ordinary
More than normal sensitivity to cold temperatures Absent or
irregular menstruation in girls Hair loss

Signs your teen may be suffering from Bulimia

Fixation with food Binge eating (you may not see this due to the
secrecy that normally occurs) Frequent trips to the bathroom
immediately after eating Abusing laxatives, diet pills or both
Denying that they are hungry Using medicines to induce vomiting
Obsessive exercising Salivary glands which appear swollen Blood
vessels around the eyes that appear busted or broken

Although the majority of cases reported are females, males
suffer from eating disorders as well. According to the National
Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, nearly
1 million men suffer from an eating disorder. In reality, the
true number is probably higher.

Teens do not see it as a disorder nor do they want to gain the
weight necessary to become healthy if they stop. In most cases,
if your teen has an eating disorder, they will not admit it
willingly. To them, they are never skinny enough. That does not
mean an illness doesn't exist. If you suspect your teen may have
an eating disorder, contact help immediately. It might just save
his/her life.

About the author:
Need more free information on parenting teenagers? href="http://www.parentingmyteen.com" target="_blank"> Parenting
My Teen Podcast discusses this and other teen issues
parents face. You can also pick up the Parenting My Teen Oath
while you're there.

How to Identify Bulimia Symptoms

2007-06-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Title : How to Identify Bulimia Symptoms

Author: Sandra Kim Leong

Article:

Bulimia is a very common eating disorder. It is believed that
most statistics do not present a very accurate picture of the
true number of bulimia cases. This is mainly because that people
who are bulimic do not often realise that they have a problem.
Or they may actually be too ashamed to admit that they have an
eating disorder and that they need treatment. As such, experts
believe that the statisic figures are understated.

Getting a bulimic sufferer to go to the doctor requires the
support and help of family and friends. It is therefore of
particular important that each of us learn how to spot bulimia
symptoms so that we can help the sufferer take the required
action.

Bulimia symptoms are characterized by uncontrollable binge
eating (overeating) followed by intentional purging through
either vomiting, enemas, laxatives, diuretics or several other
similar purging methods. Obviously, if you find someone in your
midst constantly purging himself after meals, this is a sure
sign that he may be suffering from some form of bulimia.

Bulimia symptoms are usually triggered when the sufferer is
undergoing stress. Stress can happen because of family issues,
things happening at work, developments on the social front or
just having a distorted picture of body images. The binge eating
that develops, in turn, cause other emotional problems. It is
usually the case that many bulimia sufferers feel guilty about
what they do. They then fall into a state of depression after
each overeating or purging session.

Depression in itself does not necessarily point to bulimia.
However, it is an indicative sign for bulimia when you notice
that the sufferer becoming moody and down after rushing off to
the bathroom to vomit on a regular basis.

Lastly, bulimia sufferers will inevitably change body weight and
proportions drastically, over short periods of time. They may
even alternate periods of being overweight due to extreme binge
overeating with periods of being underweight due to extreme
intentional purging. In any case, a radical change in body
proportions in a short time is often the effect of an eating
disorder, even if it might not be bulimia in particular.

In summary, the four bulimia symptoms namely intentional
purging, overeating, radical mood swings and drastic weight
changes are good ways to spot for eating disorders. You can help
yourself or your loved one in recognising that there truly is a
problem and that medical help is needed for treatment. Joining a
support group also helps you or the sufferer to share about the
experience and to deal with the stress and emotions better.

About the author:
Eating
disorders are becomming a common affliction especially with
young women nowadays. For more information and resources,please
visit this site http://www.eating-
disorder-research/com

Eating Disorders : A Case Of Growing Numbers

2007-06-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Author : Sandra Kim Leong

Article :

Eating disorders are fast becoming a growing and common problem.
It is not unusual to open up the newspapers and reading about
reports of this condition every other day. Many models,
actresses and famous celebrities are also widely known to have
eating disorders due to their desire to look good for the
camera.

In the United States, statistics show that currently there are
approximately between 5 and 10 million women in the United
States who suffer from some kind of eating disorder, or are at
the borderline of developing one. The wide variance is an
indication of many cases that go unreported or undiagnosed. Many
prefer not to seek treatment as they mistakenly believe that
they do not have a problem.

It is also not true that eating disorders just affect young
women. Young women are thought to be most susceptible as they
are more concerned about beauty and fashion. However, in
reality, people of all ages and from any kind of background can
generally be affected. So long as you become obsessed with
unhealthy eating patterns, you can be said to be showing
symptoms of this condition. It is estimated that over one
million boys and men suffer from some form of eating disorder.

However, there are many experts who believe that this statistic
may be distorted because many men with eating disorders are not
accurately diagnosed. Studies have shown that many men are told
that they are simply exhausted tired or depressed. Doctors fail
to think that men can be affected too.

So what are eating disorders? They refer to conditions whereby
you have an unhealthy preoccupation with food and body image.

The most common types are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge
eating. Anorexia describes a condition whereby you just refuse
to eat due to an obsession with weight loss. Bulimia is
characterized by a cycle of binging and purging that you use to
control your weight. Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder
that involves sessions of intense overeating followed by
feelings of intense guilt. Other disorders that are related to
eating disorders include emotional eating and nocturnal eating.

One startling statistic reveals how prevalent eating disorders
actually are in the United States. According to recent research,
the number of people suffering from an eating disorder is three
times as much as the number of people currently living with
AIDS. Another statistic tells us that there are three times as
many people with eating disorders than there are schizophrenia
patients in the United States.

One of the root causes of eating disorders is the way beauty and
body image are constantly being portrayed by the media. Fashion
magazines and TV commercials present the ideal American model to
be 5'11" tall and of 117 pounds in weight. Yet, the average
modern American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs approximately 140
pounds. Inevitably, this disparity in the numbers can only
result in eating disorders developing so that the perfect body
weight and shape can be attained. Who does not want to look like
a model?

Even young children nowadays are consumed by thoughts of weight
and physical beauty. Recent studies find that about half of all
American elementary age school children would like to be
thinner, expressing dissatisfaction with their current
appearance. Even kindergarten aged children are anxous about
their looks and fear gaining weight. Some have even gone on
diets so that they can look better. Eating disorders used to be
virtually non-existent with young children. It just does not
seem that way anymore.

About the author:
Eating
disorders are becoming a common affliction especially with
young women nowadays. For more information and resources,please
visit this site href="http://www.eating-disorder-research.com">http://www.eating-
disorder-research/com.

Eating Disorders : An Overview

2007-06-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

Title : Eating Disorders : An Overview
Author: Sandra Kim Leong
Article:
Eating disorders refer to conditions whereby you have an extremecompulsion to eat or the lack of it. Eating disorders aredisruptive to your physical and emotional well-being.
There are many types of eating disorders. However, the mostcommonly known ones are known bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosaand binge eating disorder. These three conditions have differentsymptoms and causes and effects. Other eating disorders includehyperphagia, rumination and pica.
Anorexia nervosa is also known as a psychiatric disorder. Morefemales are diagnosed with this condition than men. It isusually associated with the perception of your body image. Wheninflicted with this condition, you become obssessed with theidea of carving your body to a "perfect" shape. In order toachieve this, you adopt harsh eating habits such as voluntarystarvation, excessive exercise, taking diuretic drugs, takingdiet pills, etc. Eating disorders in this form have extremelyunhealthy effects on the stomach, esophagus and to the entiredigestive system.
Bulimia symptoms differ from anorexia but has similarpsychological causes. In bulimia, the main idea behind it is totrick the body in the eating process. Binge eating disorders area central feature of bulimia nervosa; that is when you rapidlyconsume an excessive amount of food.
If you have eating binges, very often you do not want others toknow about your behaviour. You feel ashamed or depressed aboutovereating. You then undertake compensatory behaviour forovereating such as purging (induced vomiting or laxative abuse),fasting, and heavy exercising. By first eating an excessiveamount of food, you get the pleasure of eating what you wantwithout caring about the nutritional and then by vomiting it outfor example, the fat and calories from the food are eliminated.
Bulimia eating disorders have two negative aspects. By vomiting,acid forms up in the stomach and esophagus which can get damagedquickly. Your body also does not receive adequate vitamins,minerals and other nutritional elements from the food, sincethey are all purged.
Eating disorders are mostly triggered by psychological factors.In minor cases, however, they are due to intolerance to certainfoods. For example, you may have a calcium eating disorderbecause of being lactose intolerance. The causes of yourintolerance in this case may not be entirely psychological.
Eating disorders can be treated with the appropriate help andcare. Do not dismiss your condition believing that they are notserious. In severe cases, eating disorders can lead to death.Seek medical attention rightaway if you suspect that you haveany warning indications of this condition.

About the author:

Eatingdisorders are becomming a common affliction especially withyoung women nowadays. For more information and resources, pleasevisit this site http://www.eating-disorder-research.com