Bulimia: Bingeing-Purging Disorder |
||||
|
|
||||
|
Bulimia: The Bingeing-Purging
Disorder Bulimia Nervosa (bulimia) is noted for two common behaviors. Bingeing, or uncontrollable eating patterns, is followed by purging, or removing the food intake from the intestinal tract to avoid weight gain. Purging can be accomplished by self-induced vomiting or through use of excessive laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to eliminate the food from the body. Some bulimics also follow patterns of intensive exercise to burn off the excess caloric intake. It is not uncommon to see a combination of bulimic behaviors with those already identified in anorexics. Signs and Symptoms Once a person begins the pattern of bingeing and purging, it is often difficult to stop. This pattern can become a habit, and it is easier to accomplish as time goes on. Like anorexics, bulimics constantly center their lives around food. But with bulimics, food is consumed in massive quantities, up to thousands of calories in a few hours alone. These foods are often high in fat and calories, frequently classified as empty-calorie foods. It is not uncommon for a victim to consume an entire cake, package of cookies, and a dozen doughnuts or more in one sitting alone. Behavior patterns surrounding eating become totally out of control. Because many victims realize their patterns are not normal, they hide it from others. They eat in private and remove themselves to the washroom to purge. Their body weight usually remains constant so family members and friends do not as easily recognize it as a warning sign. Serious health problems can result from long-term bulimic behaviors. Repeated episodes of vomiting can damage the throat and the' esophagus and destroy tooth enamel. Water and electrolyte balance is also disrupted. Over time, various organs in the body, like the heart and liver, can become affected. If left untreated, long-term bulimia can even lead to death. Common Signs of Bulimia Common signs of bulimia include the following:
|
||||
|
||||
