See a doctor right away if you or a loved one needs help treating bulimia. Bulimia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder. Read about the symptoms and treatment options. Bulimia affects more than your physical body. It also causes mental and emotional stress. Learn more about the effects of bulimia with this graphic.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R. Bulimia is a mental disorder. Societal pressure can be a cause. Bulimia may be genetic. It affects men, too. People with bulimia can have normal body weights. Bulimia can have serious health consequences. Bulimia can inhibit healthy reproduction. Antidepressants may help.
Read this next. Bulimia Nervosa. He or she can help you take the first steps to get successful bulimia treatment. If you think a loved one may have symptoms of bulimia, have an open and honest discussion about your concerns. You can't force someone to seek professional care, but you can offer encouragement and support. You can also help find a qualified doctor or mental health professional, make an appointment, and even offer to go along.
Because most people with bulimia are usually normal weight or slightly overweight, it may not be apparent to others that something is wrong. Red flags that family and friends may notice include:. The exact cause of bulimia is unknown. Many factors could play a role in the development of eating disorders, including genetics, biology, emotional health, societal expectations and other issues. Girls and women are more likely to have bulimia than boys and men are.
Bulimia often begins in the late teens or early adulthood. Bulimia may cause numerous serious and even life-threatening complications.
Possible complications include:. Although there's no sure way to prevent bulimia, you can steer someone toward healthier behavior or professional treatment before the situation worsens. Here's how you can help:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. You'll be supported by a therapist during this process.
You may also be offered cognitive behavioural therapy CBT. Read more about treatments for bulimia. Bulimia can eventually lead to physical problems associated with not getting the right nutrients, vomiting a lot, or overusing laxatives.
Bulimia is often a vicious cycle of binging and purging, triggered by things such as hunger, sadness or stress. Failing to keep to these then leads to periods of excessive eating and loss of control binge eating , after which you feel guilty or ashamed. You then purge to get rid of the calories, leaving you feeling hungry again, and the cycle continues. This video explores how to spot the symptoms of bulimia nervosa, and how it can impact someone's life.
Regularly eating alone in private or showering immediately following meals are also possible causes for concern. Intense fear of gaining weight : Individuals with bulimia commonly express strong dissatisfaction with their body type or appearance.
If you notice yourself or someone you love talking more about dieting, food, shape and appearance, it might be worth paying more attention to. Dental issues : This is common among those who partake in self-induced vomiting. Frequent vomiting builds up acid levels in the mouth which, over time, can lead to tooth decay, erosion, discoloration and even loss of teeth.
Scars on fingers or knuckles : This mostly applies to individuals who use self-induced vomiting as a compensatory behavior. Social withdrawal : Binge episodes and subsequent compensatory behaviors can be used as coping mechanisms to deal with overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety and even depression.
0コメント