Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa, commonly known as bulimia, is an eating disorder. It is a psychological condition in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by an intentional purging. This purging is done in order to compensate for the excessive intake of the food and to prevent weight gain. Purging typically takes the form of vomiting; inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics or other medication; excessive physical exercise; or fasting. New research suggests that some sufferers may have a hormonal imbalance of testosterone; however, this research is in its early stages.The specific subtypes of bulimia are distinguished by the way the bulimic relieves themselves of the binge.
Purging typeThe purging type involves self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, tapeworms, enemas, or ipecac, as a means of rapidly extricating the contents from their body. This type is generally more found, and can use one or more of the above methods.
Non-Purging Type
This type of bulimia is rarely found (occurring in only approximately 6%-8% of cases), as it is a less effective means of ridding the body of such a large number of calories. This type of bulimia involves engaging in excessive exercise or fasting following a binge in order to counteract the large amount of calories previously ingested. This is frequently observed in purging-type bulimics as well, however this method is, by definition, not their primary form of weight control following a binge.
This type of bulimia is rarely found (occurring in only approximately 6%-8% of cases), as it is a less effective means of ridding the body of such a large number of calories. This type of bulimia involves engaging in excessive exercise or fasting following a binge in order to counteract the large amount of calories previously ingested. This is frequently observed in purging-type bulimics as well, however this method is, by definition, not their primary form of weight control following a binge.
Consequences of bulimia nervosaBulimia can result in following health problems:
*Teeth erosion and cavities, gum disease
*Swelling of the face and cheeks, especially apparent in the lower eyelids due to the high pressure of blood in the face during vomiting.
*Callused or bruised fingers
*Dry or brittle skin, hair, and nails, or hair loss
*Callused or bruised fingers
*Dry or brittle skin, hair, and nails, or hair loss
*Potential death caused by heart attack or heart failure; lung collapse; internal bleeding, stroke, kidney failure, liver failure; pancreatitis, gastric rupture, perforated ulcer, depression and suicide.
