What is bulimia?
Bulimia is a psychological eating disorder. In bulimia the patient eats excessively and then uses inappropriate methods of losing weight by inducing vomiting, using laxatives and diuretics or exercising excessively.
Bulimia is mostly seen in adolescents and women. Patients experience significant fluctuations in weight. Patients are usually aware of his/ her behaviour and they know it is abnormal. Binge eating often brings on a feeling of calmness or happiness (euphoria). It is a long-term disorder.
Who is at risk?
Teens and Women are more commonly affected.
What are the causes of bulimia?
The definitive cause of bulimia is not known.
-The disease has a genetic factor.
-A chemical serotonin is present in the brain; if its level gets altered it is responsible for the development of depression.
-the desire to have a slim body, particularly in young females leads to the development of the eating disorder.
-depression.
-Physical changes in puberty, and college life.
-Appearance-oriented professions like ballet dancers, models, gymnasts, wrestlers, runners, and actors.
What are the symptoms of bulimia?
-Generalized weakness.
-Abdominal pain.
-Voluntarily induce vomiting after meals.
-Amenorrhoea.
-Various attempts to lose weight such as excessive exercise.
-Overeating alternates with fasting.
-Lack of control over eating.
Can bulimia be cured?
Yes, bulimia can be treated.
What triggers bulimia?
The exact cause of bulimia is not known, though multiple factors contribute to the development of this eating disorder, including stress, genetic, environmental, psychological, and cultural influences.
Can bulimia kill you?
Yes, bulimia can kill you as it may harm teeth and cause fits, muscle spasms as well as heart, kidney, bowel and bone problems.
Is bulimia a mental disorder?
Yes, bulimia is a mental disorder.
What are the health risks of bulimia?
-Cardiac complications
-Dehydration.
-Edema
-Loss of potassium, sodium and chloride from the body.
-Ulcers,
-pancreatitis.
Is bulimia a genetic disorder?
yes, people with certain rare gene mutations have a higher risk of developing an eating disorder.
Is bulimia a disease?
Bulimia is a medical disease that results in irreversible complications.
What are the investigations of bulimia?
Diagnosis is based on the symptoms of the patient like:
-Compulsive or excessive exercise.
-Physical signs occur from excessive vomiting such as a swollen face, broken blood vessels in the eyes etc.
-Excessive preoccupation with body image or weight.
-Laboratory tests show low blood sugar levels, change in electrolyte balance or low potassium level due to overuse of diuretics.
What is the treatment for bulimia?
-Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
-Nutritional therapy.
-Antidepressants.
What is the dietary management of bulimia?
Management
-develop the right eating pattern in a patient. Encourage the patient to develop self-confidence.
-Ensure patient’s appointments with therapists and doctors.
Diet
The diet should be nutritious i.e. rich in carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins and vitamins.
The diet should be healthy and must include eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, legumes, and dried fruit.
What are the complications of bulimia?
-Weight gain.
-Pain and bloating in the abdomen.
-Swelling of hands and feet.
-Hoarseness.
-Bloodshot eyes.
-Salivary glands swell.
-Weakness.
-Tooth decay.
-Acid reflux or ulcers.
-Esophagus gets ruptured.
-Amenorrhea.
-Hemorrhoids.
-Pancreatitis.
What is the homoeopathic treatment for bulimia?
-calcarea carbonica
-natrum muriaticum
-nux vomica
-pulsatilla
