Bulimia Nervosa

Get help NOW. Discover treatments for bulimia nervosa at Lakeview Health.

Bulimia nervosa can have a serious impact on your life. But thankfully, bulimia nervosa can be treated and you can recover. Get the help you deserve. Call 1-800-231-2950. The treatments at Lakeview Health are designed to help those suffering from bulimia symptoms and get them back into a healthy lifestyle. For immediate assistance, call 1-800-231-2950 now. All calls are kept confidential. Our support staff is available 24/7 to take your call, so call now.

Bulimia Symptoms

Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by binge eating and then purging to get rid of the calories consumed. A person with bulimia fears gaining weight, yet has an uncontrollable compulsion to binge on foods. After bingeing, the person employs unhealthy methods to rid the body of the calories: vomiting; frequent use of laxatives, water pills, enemas, fasting or extreme exercise. Purging after bingeing begins as a means of weight-control, but the bingeing and purging behaviors paradoxically become habitual and out of control.

People who have bulimia nervosa are very secretive about their bingeing and purging, so others may not notice the signs bulimia symptoms of the eating disorder. Some bulimia symptoms are so subtle that only a medical professional would notice them. Surprisingly, being underweight is not a characteristic sign of bulimia nervosa, even though people with bulimia are afraid of being too fat. Individuals with bulimia often are of normal weight or overweight because they eat a lot.

The warning signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:

• Secrecy surrounding eating and the time period after eating, to allow for bingeing and then purging. Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, evidence of laxatives or diuretics.
• Odd eating behaviors, such as avoidance of eating with others; unpredictable and sudden dietary likes and dislikes; skipping of meals;
• Eating unusually large amounts of food, with no apparent change in weight. Excessive, rigid exercise regimen
• Poor body image; preoccupation with body weight, weight loss, dieting, and control of food
• Discolored or callused finger joints or backs of the hands - Jamming the fingers down the throat to induce vomiting may damage the outer surfaces of the hands.
• Tooth and mouth problems, such as discolored and decalcified teeth, and sensitive, swollen, and bleeding cheeks and gums. These are caused by vitamin deficiencies and by the stomach acid that comes up with vomit.
• Irregular or nonexistent menstrual periods

Types of Bulimia Nervosa

There are two types of bulimia nervosa, based on how the person compensates for their binge eating:

• Purging type of bulimia - The person induces vomiting or uses a diuretic, laxative or enema to purge food from the body.
• Non-purging type of bulimia - The person does not purge food from the body, but instead fasts or engages in excessive exercise to use up calories.

Not all people suffering with bulimia nervosa engage in self induced vomiting or abuse laxatives, enemas or diuretics. Some may turn to drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines or crystal meth. Regardless of which method they choose, the goal is to gain control of their weight, feelings and people around them.

There are great health risks associated with bulimia nervosa, some of which include:

• Heart problems
• Esophageal ruptures
• High cholesterol
• Dental problems
• Gastrointestinal problems

Treatments for Bulimia Symptoms

In the cases where the patient is suffering from bulimia nervosa in addition to a drug addiction or alcoholism, it is always the addiction that needs to be controlled first. For these patients, treatment in a dual diagnosis facility is often recommended. Dual diagnosis facilities will typically include their own detox program designed to help the patient eliminate the toxins that have built up in their body from their drug or alcohol intake. Once the detox is successfully completed, a monitored rehabilitation program will help remove the control the addictive substance has over the patient.

Only after the patient has successfully managed their addiction, can the treatment for the bulimia nervosa truly begin. One of the reasons a dual diagnosis center is best suited for this level of treatment is that it provides a singular, safe and comfortable setting in which the patient can get healthy, and all progress is closely monitored by physicians trained in dual diagnosis treatments.

Medicinal treatments for bulimia nervosa include the administration of Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft) or Paroxetine (Paxil) to help manage the depression that can be evident in many patients. Additional treatments for bulimia symptoms may include:

• Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Group Therapy

If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis program specializing in bulimia nervosa treatments, call Lakeview Health Systems now at 1-800-231-2950. All calls are completely confidential and our staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day.