Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

My health topic is Bulimia Nervosa, which is also known as just Bulimia. It is an eating disorder when people eat excessive amounts of food known as bingeing, and then has feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation. A person then follows this behavior by purging to make up for all the eating. Purging is another word for vomiting, fasting, and the use of laxatives, enemas, and diuretics or over exercising. I chose this topic because I’m greatly interested in nutrition and eating right, and I’ve also seen a movie about it and wanted to understand the topic to a more full extent. My interest comes from me being an athlete, and I like to learn about the human body in all aspects.

The causes of bulimia are not specifically known, but they believe it has to do with biological, psychological, and sociocultural issues. Biologically, some people may be genetically vulnerable to developing the disorder. Young women with a biological sister or mother are more prone to have an eating disorder. Studies of twins also support that idea however it is not clear how genetics are a factor. There is a brain chemical called serotonin that may influence eating behaviors because it is connected to the regulation of food in your body. People may also have psychological and emotional characteristics that contribute to the disease. This is where self-esteem comes into play. They also may have trouble controlling impulse behaviors, managing moods, or expressing anger. Another factor in the psychological aspect are family conflicts, or a history of sexual abuse. For the sociocultural aspect our culture generates and reinforces thinness. Peer pressure also contributes to young girls desiring to be thin.

It is very hard to find the signs or symptoms of bulimia. The reason being that many people keep “binge and purge” a secret and maintain normal body weight. Family, friends, and physicians have difficulty-detecting bulimia. Bulimia is categorized in two ways with purging bulimia and non-purging. Purging is when someone regularly vomits, use laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to compensate for the binge. Non-purging bulimia is when you use other methods to get rid of calories and prevent weight gain such as fasting or over-exercising (6). The binges can range in frequency from twice a week to several times a day. Dieting heavily between periods of binging and purging happens often, in which 50% of people with anorexia will develop bulimia. Bulimia normally is seen in adolescent or young adult women. The prevalence of Bulimia nervosa is an estimated 1.1 to 4.2% in females with 2-3% being young women. Also for cases in the U.S 85-95% of cases with anorexia or bulimia are with women while only 5-15% are with men (2) Some symptoms and physical signs may include abnormal bowel functioning, damaged teeth and gums, bloating, dehydration, fatigue, dry skin, irregular heartbeat, swollen salivary glands in cheeks, sores in throat and mouth, and scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands. There are also emotional and behavioral symptoms which include constant dieting, eating until discomfort or pain, over-exercising, depression, anxiety, hoarding food, being preoccupied with body and weight, misuse of drugs such as laxatives, and feeling that you can’t control your eating behavior.

One of the most known effects of bulimia is on the teeth and mouth. The frequent vomiting brings up acid into the mouth, which erodes the enamel in teeth. Cavities and gum infections are also common.