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Bulimia Kills.!

Your Teeth!

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating (consuming

unusual amounts of food in a short amount of time) followed by a counter
action as an attempt to compensate for the over eating and avoid weight
gain.
Usually behavior like this is done in secret because it causes feelings of
disgust and shame.

Bulimia is as a psychological disorder like anorexia but unlike anorexia someone with

bulimia
can normally maintain a normal weight. Bulimics have a fear of gaining weight
and/or desperately want to lose weight.
People who develop an eating disorder
tend to be perfectionists: suffering from
low self-esteem, extreme criticality toward
oneself and ones body.
Eating disorders frequently occur along
side other mental disorders like depression
or anxiety and is correlated with alcohol
and drug abuse problems.
[American Psychiatric Association Work Group
on Eating Disorders]

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

The DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders) states that Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder
characterized by reoccurring episodes of binge eating
followed and compensating behaviors afterwards.
Binge eating is classified by:

- Eating in a short amount of time, within a 2- hour period, an

abnormal amount of food unlike most people would in similar
circumstances.
- A feeling of no control during binging periods

Over compensating behaviors include:

- Self-induced vomiting
- misuse of laxatives
- fasting
- excessive exercise
Binge eating and purging cycles happen from couple times a
week up to several times a day

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Physical Symptoms of Bulimia:

Negative Consequences:

- Chronically inflamed and sore throat

- Swollen salivary glands in the neck and
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jaw area
Worn tooth enamel
Decaying teeth
Acid reflux disorder, gastrointestinal
problems
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalance
[National institute of mental health]
Calluses or scars on hands
Puffy cheeks
Frequent fluctuations in weight

Electrolyte imbalancetoo low or too high

levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, and
other minerals that can lead to irregular heart
beat or even a heart attack or stroke.
Inflammation may lead to a rupture in the
esophagus
Exposure to stomach acids teeth start
staining and decaying
Irregular bowel movement
Gastic rupture
Intestinal distress and irritation (from laxative
abuse)
Ulcers
Broken blood vessels in the eyes
Swollen cheeks
Swelling of hands and feet
Loss of menstrual cycle periods
Anemia
Cancer (ex. mouth- or throat cancer)

Treatment:

There are multiple ways of treating Bulimia and each of them have a different
purpose in a patients recovery.

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!Psychological Treatment
!As Eating disorders and mental illnesses are closely linked
!the best way to treat an eating disorder such as bulimia is to
!talk to a professional. Psychotherapy will help determine the
!possible, underlying emotional problems that may be causing
!the disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to lower
!food intake and forming a healthy diet, lowering concerns
!about body weight, figuring out triggers for binge eating and
!creating coping mechanisms.
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!Chemical Treatment
!If needed, medication is given to reduce the binge-purge
!cycle. Drugs have been shown effective for treating cooccurring anxiety or depression.
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!Sources:
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! National Institute of Mental Health
! Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DMS-V)
! American Psychiatric Association Work Group on Eating Disorders
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