Bulimia nervosa more commonly known as bulimia is an eating disorder . People with bulimia will eat a large amount of food in a short time (binge). They may vomit, exercise too much, or use medicines like laxatives. People with bulimia cannot control their eating and have a paralyzing fear of becoming fat. Bulimia is associated with depression and other psychiatric disorders and shares symptoms with anorexia nervosa, another major eating disorder. This causes them to purge. In Western, industrialized countries, about 1 percent to 3 percent of women experience bulimia during their life. The rate of bulimia in men is about one-tenth of that in women. Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Because it's so intimately entwined with self-image it's not just about food bulimia can be difficult to overcome. But treatment can help people with bulimia feel better about themselves and adopt healthier eating patterns.

The word bulimia means ox-hunger, or an abnormal and excessive craving for food. It is another condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. Bulimia is estimated to affect between 3% of all women in the U.S. at some point in their lifetime. These numbers are somewhat lower than earlier estimates of the prevalence of bulimia due to the precise criteria now established for the diagnosis (see below). Unlike anorexics, bulimics experience significant weight fluctuations, but their weight loss is usually not as severe or obvious as anorexics. However, many bulimics continue to retain slightly abnormal eating and dieting behaviors even after the recof very period. It is a response to depression , stress , or other feelings related to body weight, shape, or food. Binge eating often brings on a feeling ocalm or happiness ( euphoria ), but the self-loathing because of the overeating soon replaces the short-lived euphoria. Others may resort to excessive exercise as a method to regain their control and rid their body of the possible weight gained during the binge. Excessive exercise is that which interferes with normal daily activities or when it occurs at inappropriate times or in inappropriate settings, or when it continues despite illness or injury.

Causes of Bulimia Nervosa

The common Causes of Bulimia Nervosa :

The exact cause of this disorder is not known.
Low self-esteem, where the person may evaluate their self-worth by their body shape
A loss of interest in other people
Mood problems, especially depression

Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa

Some Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa :

Inappropriate use of diuretics or laxatives
Self-induced vomiting
Binge eating
Overachieving behavior
Bad breath
Dehydration
Depression
Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, gas, abdominal pain
Irregular menstruation or cessation of menstrual periods

Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa

Associated illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse, increase the risk of other illness and injury. Directly question patients regarding suicidal ideation.
Patients with eating disorders who are seen for an apparently unrelated problem benefit from an emergency physician who recognizes an eating disorder and provides initial management and suitable referral.
As new therapies to treat bulimia are introduced, considering possible adverse effects from these new therapies is important. Possible adverse effects may include renal lithiasis, glaucoma, seizure, and metabolic derangements.
Complications of bulimia treatable in the emergency setting may include volume depletion, electrolyte abnormalities, esophagitis, Mallory-Weiss tear, esophageal or gastric rupture, pancreatitis, arrhythmias, or adverse effects of medication (eg, ipecac, appetite suppressants).

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

Heart Problems

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
Cystitis

Skin Disorders

Acne
Alopecia Areata
Baldness

Women Diseases

Abnormal Periods
Atropic Vaginitis
Breast Cancer
Breast Pain
Cervical Cancer

Liver & Kidney Diseases

Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer

Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

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