What is Bulimia? How Is It Treated?

Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder. It is estimated that approximately 1% of young women suffer from bulimia nervosa.

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder. It is estimated that approximately 1% of young women have bulimia nervosa.

People who develop bulimia have intense anxiety about their body weight. People try to remove excess calories from the body in unhealthy ways under the influence of the thought created by the possibility of gaining weight following the binge eating attacks that they cannot resist. vomiting can be given as an example of the unhealthy ways people with bulimia apply.

What are the Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa?

People with bulimia develop many symptoms, both emotional and behavioral:

Consumption of more than normal food in one go,

Going to the bathroom immediately after meals and difficult vomiting,

Using various medical drugs such as diuretics or laxatives in line with the desire to lose weight improper use,

Excessive anxiety about the thought of gaining weight,

Body image that does not reflect reality,

Stomach acid staining the teeth due to excessive vomiting,

The gradual withdrawal from social activities and desire to eat alone

Lack of awareness of his/her discomfort and misbehavior,

Changes in my mood or depression,

Excessive physical activity or exercise,

Weakness, dental problems, sore throat, digestive system problems,

Calls on the joint of the fingers (Russel sign).

What are the Effects of Bulimia Nervosa on the Body?

In addition to the problems related to the heart, digestive system and kidneys, the problems caused by the deficiencies of various nutrients are the disease of bulimia� Care should be taken as it may occur during the course of the disease.

Harms of Bulimia Nervosa on the Digestive System
As a result of binge eating attacks and subsequent severe vomiting, many negative effects occur on the organs of the digestive system. Irritation or tearing of the esophagus, stomach disorders, reflux, bloating due to intestinal damage, diarrhea or constipation can be counted as examples of the damage caused by bulimia to the digestive system. Calluses occur in the joint area due to regular exposure to acid. This situation is defined as the “Russel sign”.

Harms of Bulimia Nervosa to the Circulatory System
Frequent vomiting and fluid and electrolyte loss occur at the same time, apart from foodstuffs. For the heart to function properly, there is a delicate balance between electrolytes. With the loss of electrolytes, this balance is disrupted, and as a result, arrhythmias, weakening of the heart muscle, and heart failure may occur in the following periods. Damage or even ruptures may occur in the blood vessels due to the reflection of the pressure on the veins during vomiting. . In addition to depression and anxiety, obsessive-compulsive (obsessive) behaviors may occur during the course of the disease, so care should be taken. In bulimia, a deficiency of various nutrients occurs, hormones cannot be produced properly, and hormone imbalances may occur. As a result of this situation, symptoms related to the reproductive system such as cessation of menstruation may occur.

How is Bulimia Nervosa Diagnosed? How Is It Treated?

Bulimia nervosa, the effects of excessive food intake on the body following episodes of binge eating It is a disorder characterized by inappropriate behaviors that are used to balance the emotions.

In order for eating attacks and unhealthy compensatory behaviors to have diagnostic value on bulimia, they must occur at least once a week and must have continued for 3 months. A diagnosis of bulimia nervosa can also be made by the physician upon the patient's own statement about his or her eating patterns and behaviors.
Concomitant obesity can be considered as a clue that the course of the disease will progress more negatively. Psychotherapy sessions such as therapy,

Use of various psychiatric drugs,

Awareness of food and nutrition,

Hospitalization in the presence of serious and life-threatening symptoms.

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