Skin as smooth as milk, dimples that would make a grown man croon, a slender build that made all the females green with envy, everyone loved Regina. The last pageantry she won would be the 5th one she had won so far in her 18 years on this earth. She had five model agencies trying to sign her. She was the kind of girl who could wrap anyone round her fingers and get them to do her bidding merely by batting an eyelid.
A week ago, she fainted during Sports and it caused a lot of buzz around the campus. It turns out, Regina, the ‘perfect’ girl everyone gushed about, had an eating disorder, Bulimia Nervosa to be precise and she had to be rushed to the Emergency room for expert management.
INTRODUCTION
The entertainment and fashion industry which has become a beacon of light and inspiration to New-Age millennials, places a huge emphasis on being Skinny. Hence, body-shaming the folks that don’t fit into this particular genetic and metabolic build has become a trend that needs to die and die fast.
Sadly, this trend has paved way for a lot of psychological, emotional and physical abuse. Depression, Self-harm, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and so on. In this article, we’ll talk about Bulimia Nervosa.
Bulimia (pronounced boo-leeh-me-ah) nervosa which is commonly called bulimia, is a serious, potential life-threatening eating disorder.
People with this disorder, binge-eat which is followed by vomiting, purging, excessively exercising or fasting. Binge-eating refers to eating a large amount of food in a short amount of time. Other ways to get rid of the food is by taking laxatives (drugs that cause an increase in the frequency of Stool), diuretics (drugs that cause urination), weight loss supplements.
Bulimia is self-diagnosable. The sad thing is that it’s not just physical so it can’t just be stopped with willpower. The scars are beyond skin deep. Yet, the good news is that it’s treatable (inserts a cheer).
The onset usually occurs during adolescence. Between the ages of 13 years and 20 years. This is not to say it can’t be found in adults but the majority is found within adolescence.
Sadly, it’s also more prevalent among the females than the males.
RISK FACTORS
1. Biology: people with first degree relatives with eating disorders are more likely to develop eating disorders themselves.
2. Psychological and emotional issues: Depression, anxiety disorders, or substance use are closely associated with eating disorders.
3. Dieting: these people are at a higher risk of developing Bulimia.
SYMPTOMS
A person with bulimia has the following signs and symptoms:
1. Excessively preoccupied with body shape and weight.
2. Live in fear of gaining weight.
3. Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting.
4. A loss of self-control over binge-eating.
5. Forcing exercise or vomiting to keep form gaining weight.
6. Using laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating when they’re not needed.
The severity of this disorder is determined by the number of times a week that this cycle of binge-eating and getting rid of it is done.
CAUSES.
There is no particular cause of bulimia but there’s a relation between Genetic, environmental and psychological factors.
PREVENTION.
Foster and reinforce a healthy body image in people. Help them build their confidence in things other than their appearance.
TREATMENT
A multi-disciplinary approach is used to handle this disorder. Psychiatrists, dentists, internal medicine specialists, etc.
The mainstay of treatment is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
COMPLICATIONS.
1. Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning.
2. Severe tooth decay and gum disease.
3. Absent or irregular periods in females.
4. Misuse of alcohol or drugs.
5. Anxiety, depression, personality disorders or bipolar disorders.
6. Dehydration, which can lead to major medical problems such as kidney failure.
Heart problems, such as an irregular heart beat or heart failure.
7. Self- injury, suicidal thoughts or suicide.
In conclusion , Bulimia Nervosa is a very serious disorder that has the capacity to cause complications that could lead to the morbidity or mortality of the individuals affected if help is not sought early.
Written by Uyota Odokuma, 500L.
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