Choose the content to read

• What is bulimia nervosa?
• What causes bulimia nervosa?
• What are the symptoms of bulimia nervosa?
• What complications are associated with bulimia nervosa?
• How is bulimia nervosa diagnosed?
• How is bulimia nervosa treated?
• How can I prevent bulimia nervosa?
• Coping advice for parents
• A note from MedPark's doctor

Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by binge eating (consuming substantial amounts of food at one time) followed by purging through self-induced vomiting and other methods. Bulimia encompasses physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Although the exact cause of bulimia is unknown, it can be due to a combination of several factors such as genetics, society, or emotional health. Prevention for bulimia includes education and syndrome awareness.

What is bulimia nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa or bulimia is an eating disorder, one of the mental health conditions that can be life-threatening. Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include consuming a huge amount of food in a brief period, followed by self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives due to the fear of gaining weight. In addition, some people with bulimia may exercise excessively, fast, and try to lose weight by taking diet pills or using addictive drugs.

Bulimia nervosa is more common in women than men. Symptoms of bulimia nervosa normally develop during adolescence, but people of all ages can be affected by the condition. People of any gender, age, race, or body type can be affected by bulimia. Moreover, people with bulimia typically have healthy body weight, unlike people with anorexia nervosa who usually are underweight. Individuals with bulimia are also different from people with binge eating, given that they purge after having a large amount of food while people who binge eat don’t.

What causes bulimia nervosa?

Although the exact cause of bulimia remains unknown, researchers believe that a combination of genetics, cultural, emotional, and psychological health, parenting styles, and social values play a role in developing the condition. Your risk of developing bulimia may increase if you have relatives with a history of bulimia.

In addition, influences from media and popular culture can affect the perception of body image and self-esteem of bulimia patients. Also, being stressed and overwhelmed in life can contribute to bulimia.

What are the symptoms of bulimia nervosa?

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:

• Being obsessed with body image or weight.
• Binge eating and trying to purge privately.
• Acid reflux.
• Bloodshot eyes.
• Constipation.
• Dehydration.
• Depression or anxiety.
• Exercising excessively.
• Fainting.
• Fear of gaining weight.
• Feeling ashamed after binge eating.
• Irregular menstrual periods (Amenorrhea).
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Scars on your knuckles (from self-induced vomiting).
• Using the bathroom frequently after meals.
• Dental erosion.

What complications are associated with bulimia nervosa?

A number of complications can arise from bulimia nervosa, including:

• Arrhythmia.
• Stomach and intestinal ulcers
• Electrolyte imbalance.
• Elevated risk of suicide.
• Esophagitis.
• Heart failure.
• Tooth decay.

When to see a doctor?

You are advised to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of bulimia develop since the condition can severely impact your health if left untreated. You can tell someone you trust that you have the symptoms of the condition. They can help encourage you to see a doctor or even accompany you when you are seeing one.

How is bulimia nervosa diagnosed?

A doctor may begin diagnosing bulimia by taking your medical history and reviewing your symptoms. A doctor will inquire about the following to determine if you meet the criteria for bulimia:

• Does episodic binge eating occur to you?
• Do you have a sense of inability to control your eating while having a binge?
• Have you engaged in any kind of purging (self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives)?
• Did you binge eat in the last three months?
• Have you tried to lose weight by taking diet pills or other medications?
• Do you have an obsession with eating and body shape?
• Have your family members had symptoms of or been diagnosed with an eating disorder?

In addition to asking the questions above, a doctor may order a blood test, kidney function test, electrocardiogram, or urinalysis to look for the effects of bulimia on health.

How is bulimia nervosa treated?

Patients with bulimia may be referred to a multidisciplinary team of dietitians and psychiatrists. A variety of approaches can be combined to treat bulimia, including:

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help a patient to develop healthy attitudes toward self-image, cope with binge eating, and have a healthy body weight. 
• Nutritional counseling: A dietitian or counselor will help you learn healthier eating habits.
• Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that can help reduce the symptoms of bulimia. 
• Group CBT: This technique can be beneficial when used with other approaches. It involves people with bulimia and their families meeting and sharing their stories.

How can I prevent bulimia nervosa?

The risk of bulimia nervosa can be minimized by receiving treatment for depression or anxiety. Plus, Relatives, parents, or teachers can help teenagers adjust their attitude by informing them that the skinny body portrayed by the media is not ideal, but unhealthy.

Home remedies

• Motivate yourself to stick to your treatment plan and learn about bulimia.
• Get the right nutrition for your body.
• Don't ignore help from your family members or friends. 
• Be kind to yourself about your weight.
• Be cautious with exercise.

Coping advice for parents

If your child has bulimia, you may feel that you are someone to blame for it. However, parenting style is not the sole cause of the condition. Therefore, you are advised to pay attention to what you can do to help your offspring with their condition. Having meals regularly as a family can help reduce binge eating. You can ask your offspring directly what you can do to help him or her. Listening to your child’s feelings without judging is also important. Moreover, telling your child about concerns you have of him or her without blaming can be beneficial to coping with the situation.

Preparing for your appointment

• Ask your friend or family member to accompany you to the hospital.
• Write down your symptoms, recent life events, and important personal information.
• Make a list of medications, vitamins, or supplements you're taking.

Prepare questions to ask your doctor, including:

• What treatments are available?
• What tests are necessary?
• Where should I find information about bulimia?
• Is there an alternative to the medicines prescribed?

A note from MedPark's doctor

Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that can affect your health both physically and mentally. If you suspect you have bulimia nervosa, you are encouraged to seek help and see a doctor. The symptoms can improve with proper medical treatment and counseling.

Assess your Body Mass Index (BMI) to receive personalized advice from a specialist.