BULIMIA NERVOSA
Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binging and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.
Bulimia Nervosa has three primary symptoms:
* Regular intake of large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating behavior.
* Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise.
* Extreme concern with body weight and shape.
The chance for recovery increases the earlier bulimia nervosa is detected.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of bulimia nervosa.
* Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise.
* Extreme concern with body weight and shape.
The chance for recovery increases the earlier bulimia nervosa is detected.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of bulimia nervosa.
Warning Signs
-- Evidence of binge eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or finding wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food.
-- Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.
-- Excessive, rigid exercise regimen--despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, the compulsive need to “burn off” calories taken in.
-- Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area.
-- Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
-- Discoloration or staining of the teeth.
-- Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
-- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
-- In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.
-- Continued exercise despite injury; overuse injuries.
-- Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.
-- Excessive, rigid exercise regimen--despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, the compulsive need to “burn off” calories taken in.
-- Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area.
-- Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
-- Discoloration or staining of the teeth.
-- Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
-- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
-- In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.
-- Continued exercise despite injury; overuse injuries.
