Eating disorders are a major problem within the United States and specifically within Utah. Eating disorders most often fall into three categories: anorexia nervosa (not eating), bulimia nervosa (binging and purging or riding body or food intake), and binge eating (over eating). While generally covering all eating disorders this blog is specifically focused on bulimia nervosa, often referred to as bulimia.
Bulimia can affect and impact people of different ages, races, genders, and socio-economic statuses. The most common victims, however, are women and girls in adolescent and early adult years. It is estimated that Bulimia effects 1-3% of adolescents in the United States. Of these cases anywhere from 85-95% are women.
Although this is a tragic disease treatment efforts have been found to be very effective. Within three months of treatment as many as 60-80% all into remission from bulimia. Although this is the case relapse is common among bulimics. Of those who are in remission within three months 15-25% continue to meet the criteria for bulimia even years later.
Common signs and symptoms of Bulimia include:
Physical
- Abnormal bowel functioning
- Damaged teeth and gums
- Swollen salivary glands in the cheeks
- Sores in the throat and mouth
- Bloating
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Irregular heartbeat
- Sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands
- Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)
- Constant dieting
- Feeling that you can't control your eating behavior
- Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
- Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal meal or snack
- Exercising for hours on end
- Misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
- Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
- Having a distorted, excessively negative body image
- Going to the bathroom after eating or during meals
- Hoarding food
- Depression
- Anxiety
