= a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. People with bulimia may secretly binge — eating large amounts of food with a loss of control over the eating — and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. (purging)
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1\. symptoms
* Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
* Living in fear of gaining weight
* Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting
* Feeling a loss of control during bingeing — like you can't stop eating or can't control what you eat
* Forcing yourself to vomit or exercising too much to keep from gaining weight after bingeing
* Using laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating when they're not needed
* Fasting, restricting calories or avoiding certain foods between binges
* Using dietary supplements or herbal products excessively for weight loss
* The severity of bulimia is determined by the number of times a week that you purge, usually at least once a week for at least three months.
* Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning
* Dehydration, which can lead to major medical problems, such as kidney failure
* Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure
* Severe tooth decay and gum disease
* Absent or irregular periods in females
* Digestive problems
* Anxiety, depression, personality disorders or bipolar disorder
* Misuse of alcohol or drugs
* Self-injury, suicidal thoughts or suicide
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2\. onset and prevalence
* Bulimia often begins in the late teens or early adulthood.
* 1.5 percent of the US female population and 0.5 percent of the male population has experienced bulimia in their lifetimes. These percentages translate to 4.7 million females and 1.5 million males.
3\. causes/explanations for the disorder
* Psychological and emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety disorders or substance use disorders are closely linked with eating disorders.
* In some cases, traumatic events and environmental stress may be contributing factors.
* People who diet are at higher risk of developing eating disorders. Many people with bulimia severely restrict calories between binge episodes, which may trigger an urge to again binge eat and then purge. Other triggers for bingeing can include stress, poor body self-image, food and boredom.
4\. prognosis
* may need several types of treatment, although combining psychotherapy with antidepressants may be the most effective for overcoming the disorder
* cognitive behavioral therapy, family-based treatment, or interpersonal psychotherapy may be used
* Antidepressants may help reduce symptoms when used along with psychotherapy. The only antidepressant specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat bulimia is fluoxetine (Prozac), an SSRI
* Dietitians can design an eating plan to help you achieve healthy eating habits to avoid hunger and cravings and to provide good nutrition
* if symptoms are severe, with serious health complications, you may need treatment in a hospital. Some eating disorder programs may offer day treatment rather than inpatient hospitalization
* Although most people with bulimia do recover, some find that symptoms don't go away entirely
5\. any differences by demographic group?
* Girls and women are more likely to have bulimia than boys and men are.
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