Bulimia nervosa. Signs, causes and treatment.
Bulimia nervosa may usually remain secretive. In quite a lot of cases,  the individual will eat reasonably in social meetings but he/she may be bulimic in private. The affected person experiences an obsession with overeating and irresistible cravings for food. The patient is usually aware that this eating pattern is abnormal but it is unlikely for him/her to seek help, because of the fear, embarrassment or guilt the person may feel.
Signs of bulimia nervosa include excessive physical activity, laxatives or diuretics abuse, peculiar eating habits or rituals and frequent weighing.
Body weight is usually normal, although patients may
believe they are
overweight and feel disappointed with their physique. If bulimia is accompanied by anorexia nervosa, body weight may be extremely low.
In bulimia, episodes of eating binges may occur as often as several times daily and for many months. Huge amounts of food may be consumed over a limited period of time. These binges cause a sense of self-disgust which leads to corrective behaviors like self-induced vomiting or excessive aerobic exercise. The frequency of bulimic cycles will vary depending on the person. Some will suffer from a series of incidents every few months, whereas others, who experience a more severe form of the illness, may binge and purge several times a day.
Patients may vomit automatically after their meal. Such behaviors can be dangerous and may lead to serious medical complications, overtime. For instance, the gastric acid that frequently enters the pharynges and the esophagus due to excessive vomiting can inflict a permanent damage to these upper digestive system areas.
The mouth itself can be affected badly and a dental exam may reveal decayed and eroded teeth or inflamed gums because of the prolonged exposure to gastric acid.
Causes of bulimia nervosa.
The exact cause of bulimia nervosa is unknown but factors which are believed that contribute to its development are family problems, reduced self-esteem, depression, perfectionistic personality and an overemphasis on physical appearance, according to celebrity standards.
Treatment of bulimia nervosa.
Treatment of bulimia nervosa focuses on resolving psychological problems and breaking the binge-purge cycles. Outpatient therapies, such as individual, group or family counseling, may result in behavior modifications on behalf of the person. Antidepressant drugs may also be used in cases that depression is involved. Occasionally, psychoanalysis and medical treatment are used in combination. Treatment is not always successful, since a large portion of bulimic people may continue to be chronically symptomatic and three out of ten patients relapse.
|
