What does bulimia lead to? What diseases can develop as a consequence of bulimia nervosa? The destructive effect of bulimia

Bulimia (bulimia nervosa, kinorexia) is an eating disorder associated with loss of control over the amount of food consumed, combined with a desire to maintain current weight. Bulimia is characterized by overeating, regular cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, taking laxatives) and psychologically unstable dependence of self-esteem on body weight and the opinions of others.

Nutritionists note that today bulimia is even more common than anorexia (refusal of food) and compulsive overeating (consumption of excessive food), which are often precursors of bulimia. Despite this, we do not know enough about the disease. Fill in the gaps that can be of vital importance when it comes to someone from your loved ones, we offer right now.

Bulimia is an obsession.

Essentially, bulimia is an obsessive desire. Eat as much as possible, get rid of what you just ate or get the perfect figure. Often, "bulimics" tend to secret alcohol addiction, about which they later experience a huge sense of guilt. In addition, with bulimia, a person does not feel the measure, so that suddenly he can refuse food altogether, and then just as suddenly return to his usual diet, but start going to the gym seven times a week. In general, obsession with striving is one of the most obvious signs of bulimia, helping in its identification.

Bulimia is a mental disorder.

Bulimia is not just an eating disorder, but also a serious mental disorder. According to the US National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders (ANAD), eating disorders lead to the most fatal mental conditions. This fact is explained by long-term health problems and constant stress associated with suicidal thoughts. In addition, bulimia makes people feel ashamed about their inability to control compulsive behavior, which can lead to severe depression.

Social pressure is one of the causes of bulimia.

The causes of bulimia are still a subject of debate in the professional community. However, many experts believe that there is a direct correlation between glossy beauty standards and eating disorders. According to researchers, it is the desire to become like cover models that leads girls to an unhealthy relationship with food.

Against this background, the American Vogue cover scandal (March 2017) seems especially interesting. The issue, called Model Behavior: The Great Beauty Shakeup and dedicated to the most popular modern models, caused a flurry of criticism on the Web. Reason - double standards. Although magazine editor Anna Wintour put plus-size model Ashley Graham on the cover, along with Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and other girls of "traditional" model parameters, she did it in such a way that to determine where the plus-size model is in the picture, decidedly impossible.

Bulimia can be genetically determined.

Social pressure and mental disorders are just two of the possible causes of bulimia. Some scientists believe that the disorder may be genetically determined. So, you may be more likely to develop bulimia if one of your parents had this eating disorder. However, it is still not clear whether this is due to genes or an unhealthy atmosphere in the family.

Men get bulimic too.

While women are more likely to develop eating disorders, this type of disorder is not gender specific. Experts point out that up to 15% of people receiving professional treatment for bulimia are male patients. At the same time, men are less likely to show symptoms that are noticeable to others, and they react more aggressively to psychological help. That is why treatment in this case can be difficult.

Bulimics are most often of normal weight.

If you think that a person with bulimia should be thin, then you are wrong. This anorexia causes a calorie deficit, resulting in rapid and obvious weight loss. At the same time, people with bulimia, although they may experience episodes of anorexia, tend to consume more calories overall through overeating. This explains why the vast majority of "bulimics" maintain a normal weight without arousing any suspicion.

Bulimia causes serious harm to health.

This eating disorder causes more consequences than just unhealthy weight loss. All of the systems in our body depend on nutrition, and last but not least, a healthy diet to function properly. When you disrupt normal metabolism, you cause serious damage to your body. So, bulimia can provoke:

Anemia (anemia);
low blood pressure;
irregular heart rhythm;
Excessive dryness of the skin;
Rupture of the esophagus (in case of excessive vomiting);
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
irregular menstrual cycle;
Renal failure.

Bulimia affects reproductive function.

Women with bulimia often experience irregular cycles, but this is not the worst thing. Bulimia can have serious reproductive consequences, even if the cycle returns to normal. But the danger is even greater when it comes to episodes of bulimia during pregnancy, as the consequences can include the risk of diabetes, birth defects of the fetus, and the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Antidepressants are a way to cope with the disease.

According to research, antidepressants have the most powerful potential in terms of treating bulimia. The optimal option is always selected by a psychotherapist, who determines both the dosage and the regularity of the use of the chosen remedy. It is important that the data of recent years allow us to talk about an increase in the effectiveness of the treatment of bulimia by about two times when antidepressants are combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Most people at least once, but faced such a word as bulimia in their lives. Moreover, in recent years, a lot has been said about the problem that this definition conceals, and almost at every turn.

It is also quite obvious that many, as a rule, mostly females, are familiar with the problem of bulimia, unfortunately, firsthand. But even if you happily escaped such a fate, it is necessary to have, albeit a small, but more in-depth understanding of this issue. At least, as they say, for the general development.

Bulimia is a word of Greek origin, literally translated it means "bull hunger".

From a medical point of view, bulimia is a mental disorder caused by factors such as:

a sharp excessive increase in appetite, accompanied by bouts of gluttony;
constant preoccupation with food;
a huge fear of the possibility of getting a little fat, as a result of which, after eating, a person tries to rid the stomach of it by any means (causes vomiting, takes laxatives, uses an enema, weight loss drugs, etc.).

According to statistics, approximately 10% of women in the age group from 15 to 35 suffer from a disease such as bulimia. But in reality, this percentage is much higher, because women, as a rule, among the patients they are the vast majority, are able to carefully hide their malaise from others.

The presence of this disease is quite difficult to identify: patients try not to show their increased addiction to food, especially in front of relatives and friends.

Bulimia is divided into 2 types:

classical- a person suffering from this disease tries at all costs to cleanse his body of the food that has entered him: for this, bouts of vomiting are regularly provoked, various laxatives and diuretics are used, and the body is cleansed with an enema. The main symptoms of this type are:
- deep depression of the patient;
- constant guilt and self-hatred;
- unreasonably strict self-criticism and a feeling of loss of control over oneself;
- a completely distorted idea of \u200b\u200bits own weight, of compliance with its norm;
- a painful need to ensure that all actions performed by the patient would be constantly approved by the people around him.
Severe bulimia (like stage II anorexia)- the patient also abuses enemas, laxatives and diuretics. In addition, he tries to use behavior that compensates for his actions - actively, to the point of complete exhaustion, engages in physical activity, or starves intensely. This form of bulimia requires urgent inpatient treatment. The typical symptoms of severe bulimia are as follows:
- strong and sharp fluctuations in body weight (up to 10-15 kg up and down);
- increased soreness and fatigue of muscle tissues;
- inflammation of the gums and tooth loss;
- chronic irritation of the throat area;
- inflammation and swelling of the parotid glands.

Common signs of the presence of this disease are:

At one meal, a person tries to eat a very large amount of food. Moreover, the food taken is absorbed very quickly, practically not chewed, swallowed in whole pieces;
immediately after eating, you should go to the toilet in order to induce vomiting as soon as possible and get rid of what you have eaten;
the patient becomes lethargic, he lacks energy;
there are problems with digestion, there is a general dehydration of the body;
frequent, sometimes absolutely causeless change of mood, as well as increased isolation and secrecy;
skin problems appear, partial destruction of tooth enamel occurs, salivary glands increase on the cheeks;
most importantly, the patient stubbornly refuses to admit that he has a problem.

The consequences of a disease such as bulimia can be very unpleasant and detrimental to health.

If a person does not stop in time, he may develop diseases such as:

periodontal disease, caries, erosion of tooth enamel;
gastritis, gastric ulcer, impaired functioning of the kidneys and pancreas;
violation of the menstrual cycle, ovarian dystrophy;
various metabolic and endocrine disorders, esophageal bleeding.

You should realize that getting rid of bulimia is not so easy. There will be no effect from treatment until the person suffering from bulimia recognizes the fact that he has this disease. He must be fully aware of the situation: the desire to be healthy must come from within.

But to deal with this problem alone is very difficult and almost impossible. The patient must “feed off” powerful support coming from friends, relatives or “colleagues in misfortune”.

Because bulimia has underlying psychological problems, treatment for this problem is based on psychotherapy. The best results are obtained by a combination of individual and family psychotherapy, diet therapy and drug treatment (sedatives and antidepressants). The sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be.

Bulimia is a mental disorder.

Social pressure is one of the causes of bulimia.

Bulimia can be genetically determined.

Men get bulimic too.

Bulimics are most often of normal weight.

Bulimia causes serious harm to health.

Anemia (anemia);
low blood pressure;
irregular heart rhythm;
Excessive dryness of the skin;
Rupture of the esophagus (in case of excessive vomiting);
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
irregular menstrual cycle;
Renal failure.

Bulimia affects reproductive function.

Antidepressants are a way to cope with the disease.

Cured bulimia may return.

The good news is that bulimia is treatable. However, her symptoms return, sometimes without warning. According to ANAD statistics, only 1 in 10 patients with bulimia seek medical help, recognizing that they have an eating disorder, and only half of them manage to cope with bulimia completely. Maintaining a normal psychological state is most correct with moderate physical activity and containment of stress factors (for example, with the help of hobbies or meditation). But, perhaps, the main role here is played by the support of relatives and friends.

Bulimia nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders. Together with anorexia, it kills every year Eating Disorder Statistics more people than any other kind of mental illness.

Every 62 minutes, at least one person dies from the effects of an eating disorder.

In order not to miss the development of this mental illness, it is important to know it by sight.

What is bulimia

The term bulimia comes from two Greek words that translate as bull and hunger. "Bull hunger" - something indomitable, a desperate craving for food, a desire to quickly fill the stomach with all the food that is nearby. This is the essence of bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa.

A person suffering from this disease regularly loses control of his appetite and overeats monstrously. Realizing this, he seeks to get rid of the swallowed food: artificially induced vomiting, enemas, the use of laxatives and diuretics, and attempts to go on an excessively rigid diet for a while are used. However, bouts of gluttony are repeated again and again.

Effects Bulimia nervosa can be different, up to the most severe:

Accelerated destruction of tooth enamel due to the fact that stomach acid regularly enters the mouth.
and loss of teeth.
Swelling and soreness of the salivary glands due to repeated vomiting.
Gastric ulcer.
Ruptures of the stomach and esophagus.
Problems with defecation. The body gets used to enemas and cannot cope with the withdrawal of waste products on its own.
Dehydration with all its consequences.
Arrhythmia.
Increased risk of heart attacks.
Decreased libido (sex drive).
Loss of interest in life, suicidal tendencies.

How to recognize bulimia

This is not as easy to do as in the case of . While the anorexic tends to look overly emaciated, bulimic victims are, in most cases, of normal weight.

It is often possible to assume bulimia nervosa only by indirect symptoms:

Excessive preoccupation with one's own weight and appearance.
A clear disdain for overweight people. To someone who suffers from bulimia, excess weight seems to be a shame, a sign of low social status, something unpleasant and contagious.
Repetitive binge eating. Sometimes a victim of bulimia eats unimaginable amounts of food.
In between - attempts to go on a diet, the rejection of certain products, vigorous exercise in the gym.
Love for laxatives, diuretic drinks, weight loss products.
The desire to go to the bathroom or toilet immediately after eating.
Red eyes. When vomiting is artificially induced, the vessels are strained, the capillaries burst.
Problems with teeth: they hurt, decay and fall out.
Complaints of sore throat: the result of the same vomiting.
Heartburn, indigestion,.
Irregular periods.
Mood swings.

Each of these signs individually is not a reason to worry. But if you counted at least 5-6 of them, this is a dangerous signal.

How to treat bulimia

As soon as possible. The sooner you turn to a psychotherapist, the easier it will be to overcome the disorder.

A therapist can help you change your eating habits. And if necessary, prescribe antidepressants or other drugs that will facilitate the control of hunger.

You may also need to consult a nutritionist. He will teach you to count calories and choose. And this will save the patient from the fear of gaining extra pounds.

Unfortunately, bulimia is a condition that is not easy to say goodbye to. It often happens that, even after being cured, people from time to time return to old habits. And only thanks to willpower they begin to eat right again.

What are the causes of bulimia and how to prevent it

Why this disorder develops, scientists do not yet know. Most likely, several factors play a role at once:

own body.
Low self-esteem. By the way, she also triggers anorexia.
Perhaps heredity. Bulimia often affects several members of the same family at once, so physiologists do not exclude a genetic predisposition.

To prevent the development of an eating disorder, it is important to learn to love yourself. Accept your body. Most often, bulimia begins with stress, resentment, and a decrease in self-esteem. At times like these, family and friends support is very important. Do not leave loved ones alone and do not hesitate to seek help and encouragement yourself. This is the best way to prevent mental disorders.

November 10, 2010, 18:35

I'll start with the fact that a patient with bulimia gives out two things. Firstly, an incredible appetite that cannot be quenched. Secondly, the enormous effort he makes to get rid of the calories he has ingested. Unlike patients anorexia, victims of bulimia cannot be immediately recognized in the crowd, focusing on excessive thinness and refusal to eat. As a rule, the weight of patients with bulimia is approximately normal, although each case of bulimia is individual, and significant deviations from the norm cannot be ruled out.
People with bulimia are often ashamed of their uncontrolled appetite and try to hide their symptoms. Often they secretly gorge themselves and then induce vomiting to get rid of what they have eaten, and in public they eat in moderation, no different from healthy people, or even limit their food intake. As a rule, patients with bulimia are very careful about their weight and figure, so they often or periodically try to follow a diet. In the system of their self-esteem, weight and figure occupy almost the first place. Often it is these factors that determine their attitude towards themselves.
Specific symptoms of bulimia: This eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of overeating that occur at least twice a month for three months. During such attacks of insatiable appetite, when the patients sweep away everything in a row, the following is observed: - Gluttony, i.e. consumption in a short time (for example, within two hours) of food in an amount that most people would not be able to eat in the same time and under the same circumstances.
- Feeling out of control during this attack (for example, feeling that it is impossible to abstain or it is impossible to control the amount of food eaten). Victims of bulimia often try to control their food intake or at least prevent weight gain. To do this, they cause forced vomiting; abuse laxatives, diuretics, enemas and other similar means of preventing the absorption of food; refuse to eat (starve); or are actively involved in sports. There are two types of bulimia: 1. Classical (cleansing): the patient regularly provokes vomiting or abuses laxatives, diuretics or enemas. 2. Bulimia as the second stage of anorexia: the patient uses other compensatory behavior, such as fasting or actively exercising, but does not regularly induce vomiting and does not abuse laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Now I want to draw attention to the consequences
Is it hard for you? How is your body? This is the name of the organs of the digestive system. Remember that the body is a single integral system, and each organ consists of cells, each of which is alive and performs a specific function. See how close everything is to each other... And this is in the cut. Imagine how food moves through the intestines. When there is a lot of it, we are uncomfortable. When it is dry food or sweets, we generally feel sick. When there are 2 kg of food in the stomach, all organs are simply squeezed. In the region of your left hypochondrium is the stomach. Its normal natural size is a maximum of 500 ml. The poor fellow can stretch up to 1-2 liters. Only here then terrible pains. ___________________________________________________________________________
When the patient vomits too often, ocular hemorrhage occurs.
Inflamed gums and decaying tooth enamel are caused by stomach acid. And you know, hair falls out, and strongly.
Esophagus corroded by stomach acid.
Rupture of the esophagus. There are also ruptures of the stomach, prolapse of the intestine (due to taking laxatives). Lethal outcomes Shelby Starner. She died at the age of 19 from bulimia. Stroke. Christina Corrigan Compulsive overeating died at the age of 13. Elisa Ruth McCall. 20 years. She committed suicide due to depression, which she fell into due to bulimia. Amy Leanne is 15 years old. She died in her sleep. an electrolyte imbalance that was a consequence of her bulimia. Her weight was normal. She was only bulimic for 4 months... Andrea Smeltzer Died in her sleep. an electrolyte imbalance that was a consequence of her bulimia. Chantel Nicole Plante died at 18 due to complications from her bulimia. Kristen Stephanie died in her sleep due to a heart attack brought on by bulimia. Her weight was normal. Melissa Booth died in her sleep due to a heart attack brought on by bulimia. Her weight was normal. 17 years Kimberly Jean Pollard is 34 years old. died of bulimia and alcoholism, which led to her illness. Elvis.Suffered from bulimia. Doctors who studied the history of his illness say that the mia is one of the reasons for the moral and physical exhaustion of Elvis Presley in the last years of his life. Princess Diana. After the betrayal of Charles, Diana fell into depression. The consequence of the resulting neurosis was bulimia - a painful passion for food. Terry's story THIS IS BEFORE BULIMIA IT'S DURING: Terry's story gained public attention in 2005. Terri struggled with weight and suffered from bulimia for several years. The effects of bulimia led Terri to fall into a vegetative state.
Terry was a complete girl as a child. later she struggled with weight for a long time, suffered from bulimia and tried to live only on water. On February 25, 1990, at the age of 25, as a result of a lack of potassium, Terri suffered a heart attack that blocked blood flow to her brain. Most of her brain "died". Subsequently, her skull was filled with cerebrospinal fluid and not "brain". In 2005, the state of Florida took the decision to turn off the artificial feeding machine and Terri died of exhaustion. An examination showed that her brain was half as merry as the brain of a healthy person. She couldn't see, feel, think. There was no chance of recovery. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION, HAPPINESS TO YOU!
Updated on 10/11/10 20:06: Due to the fact that many girls began to worry about their health, I explain: bulimia, also called bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder that has a psychological basis. Classical bulimia is characterized by episodes of food "breakdowns", in other words, incredible gluttony, followed by compensatory cleaning methods to maintain weight and body shape. Methods of unnatural cleansing and weight control include: inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, using large amounts of laxatives, diuretics, excessive sports, or fasting after days of breakdowns. Eating at the time of a food “breakdown” is not a means to satisfy natural physiological hunger. As a rule, this is a response of the psyche to internal clamps, tension, self-esteem problems, depression, a tendency to dysmorphophobia. During a relapse, a person experiences relief from the loss of control that has to be maintained the rest of the time. Control over your life, its events, problems, obsessive thoughts about weight and figure, about your imperfection. Gluttony gives the euphoria of relief from dissatisfaction with oneself and from the oppressive dependence on the opinions of others, a breakdown gives freedom from the mania of conforming to the framework and standards of society. However, the feeling of relief and euphoria of calm is quickly replaced again by anxiety and self-accusations. The cycle of binge eating and purging usually becomes an obsession and is often repeated, and this is the principle of addiction formation.