Bulimia Nervosa- Eating Disorder
By: Giovanna L, D2
Introduction to Bulimia
My Healthy Lifestyle topic is on Bulimia Nervosa. Bulimia is an eating disorder where a person eats and eats until they are full, and then they feel guilty about the amount of food they eat so after they usually go into a bathroom or a private place where they make themselves throw up. This is important to know about because a lot more people are doing this as a way to get skinnier and make themselves feel better about themselves.
10 facts about Bulimia Nervosa
1. Bulimia differs from anorexia because it is not as easily identified in its advanced stages. A bulimic person may appear perfectly normal, or even a little overweight.
2.Bulimia is when a person binge eats and then after feels guilty about it so they force themselves to throw up all of the food they ate.
3. Purging is not necessarily used to lose weight. It may be used to demonstrate control or for punishment.
4. Although the number of males who develop eating disorders is increasing, bulimia most frequently afflicts adolescent girls and young women.
5. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 1.1% to 4.2% of females have bulimia at some point in their lives.
6. It is increasingly common in pre-teens and can affect seniors, too.
7. Many people who have bulimia also have other eating disorders.
8. Purging can result in the loss of minerals the body needs to function properly, resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. This imbalance can result in irregular heartbeats, increasing the potential for heart failure and death.
9. Those who use drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements or urination further increase the risk of heart failure.
10. Frequent vomiting can cause other health problems, such as swollen glands, and inflammation or tearing of the esophagus, which can be deadly. Acid from vomit can wear down the protective layer of a person’s teeth.
Five things a person can do to maintain/improve their health also ways you can help somebody with Bulimia
1. The first phase of bulimia treatment focuses on stopping the vicious cycle of bingeing and purging and restoring normal eating patterns. You learn to monitor your eating habits, avoid situations that trigger binges, cope with stress in ways that don’t involve food, eat regularly to reduce food cravings, and fight the urge to purge.
2. The second phase of bulimia treatment focuses on identifying and changing dysfunctional beliefs about weight, dieting, and body shape. You explore attitudes about eating, and rethink the idea that self-worth is based on weight.
3. Another thing to help somebody with bulimia is getting involved targeting emotional issues that caused the eating disorder in the first place. Therapy may focus on relationship issues, underlying anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, and feelings of isolation and loneliness.
4. Offer compassion and support. Keep in mind that the person may get defensive or angry.
5. Set a good example for healthy eating, exercising, and body image.