Bulimia

Bulimia, also called bulimia nervosa, is a psychological eating disorder that occurs in individuals who look perfectly normal. Several complications, including death, can occur with bulimia. Approximately 10 per cent of individuals suffering with bulimia will die from it, through starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications or suicide.

What is bulimia?
Bulimia is an illness characterized by food binges, or recurrent episodes of significant overeating, that are accompanied by a sense of loss of control. This may be followed by a short-lived calmness. The affected individual then uses various methods such as vomiting, fasting, excessive use of laxatives and diuretic (water tables), enemas or compulsive exercises to prevent weight gain. Excessive shape and weight concerns are common in individuals with bulimia.

A binge is an episode where and individual eats a much larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation. Foods commonly used are “comfort” foods like ice cream, cake and pastry. Binge eating is not a response to intense hunger. It is usually a response to depression, stress or self esteem issues. The cycle of overeating and purging usually becomes an obsession and is repeated, sometimes, as often as twice a day to several times a day.

What causes someone to become bulimic?
There is no known definite cause for bulimia. Many experts believe that it begins with dissatisfaction with the person’s body and extreme concern with body size and shape. Many individuals with bulimia have low-esteem and a fear of becoming fat.

Women are much more commonly affected than men.This disorder is most common in adolescent females. Approximately 10 per cent of college age women in the Unites States of America have bulimia and about 10 per cent of individuals suffering from bulimia are men.

What are the symptoms of bulimia?
It is often difficult to determine when a person is suffering from bulimia. This occurs because binging and purging are often done in secret. Many individuals suffering from this disorder are often in denial about their disorder.

Symptoms include:
• Binge eating
• Self-induced vomiting
• Inappropriate use of diuretics or laxatives
• Overachieving behaviour.

Risk factors for bulimia
Professions that emphasize thinness tend to have more individuals suffering with bulimia. These include such professions as modeling, dancing, gymnastics and long-distance running.

What are some complications of bulimia?
Medical complications of bulimia include electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Individuals may develop an irregular heart beat and in severe cases can have a heart attack and die. Individuals with bulimia may have other complications like:
• Erosion of tooth enamel
• Dental cavities
• Haemorrhoids
• Constipation
• Oesphageal tears
• Inflammation of the throat
• Stomach ulcers
• Decrease libido
• A greater risk for suicide behaviour.

Treatment
Although bulimia is chronic disorder it can be overcome. If you have a family member you suspect may be suffering from bulimia please contact your family doctor, counselor or expert on eating disorders. Expect much resistance from the person as individuals with bulimia often deny their eating disorder.

Treatment focuses on breaking the binge-purge cycles. A number of treatment options are available for treating bulimia. Support groups also have a pivotal role to play as well. Individuals with bulimia who are willing to go into therapy and have few complications tend to have a better chance of recovery.

Conclusion
Bulimia is an eating disorder that appears to be affecting more young people in the last twenty years. There are many serious medical complications, including death, from bulimia.Decrease emphasis on physical perfection may in the long run decrease the incidence of bulimia. If you or your child are having behaviours suggestive of bulimia, or other eating disorders, please contact your health care provider. The good news is that bulimia can be successfully treated.

Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.