Bulimia - Control Is Within Reach

By Michael Russell

Did people of the past have any of the disorders that exist in the present? It seems like every activity comes with a disclaimer. Even food has a negative side. For some people food isn't a joy, but a disaster. Some people have had their lives taken over by eating disorders and one of those disorders is known as bulimia. Bulimia occurs when people go through periods of overeating, which are then followed by periods of self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives and diuretics and excessive exercising. Bulimia may start because other attempts at dieting have failed.

People who are bulimics are also susceptible to other types of compulsions and addictions. Bulimics may have major fluctuations in their weight. They are ashamed of their behavior, so they usually carry out their actions in private. Overeating is not caused by hunger, but by feelings of depression and stress. Bulimics actually get a sense of happiness from overeating, but that feeling doesn't last very long. Bulimics don't just purge their bodies as a way to control weight, purging is also a way for them to regain control of their overeating.

There is no concrete evidence, that points to what causes bulimia. It appears to be more of a mental state than a physical one. Bulimics may actually be underweight, but they see themselves as being overweight or fat. It's their distorted images of themselves that drives them to extremes. Because bulimics may not show obvious signs, they could be impossible to identify. It may take a medical condition to appear which is related to bulimia, before a proper diagnosis can be made.

The actions associated with purging can lead to serious health problems. Repeated vomiting can cause ulcers, ruptures or narrowing of the esophagus. Acid that flows back into the esophagus, is also a major concern. Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands is also a result of repeated vomiting. The misuse of diuretics may produce an abnormal fluid buildup. The continued misuse of laxatives and diuretics combined, could cause an electrolyte imbalance, which could have life threatening consequences.

Because the major factors in bulimia take place in the mind, most treatments are geared toward helping bulimics come to terms with their thought processes. Bulimics can be treated by physicians or psychiatrists. There are also anti-depressant medications that have been useful in treating bulimics. Depending on their physical conditions, some bulimics may need hospitalization, while others may only require counseling and monitoring.

Eating disorders seem complex and mysterious. Maybe the reason no one has found the causes of these disorders is because one doesn't exist. A lot of people experience the same types of feelings that bulimics endure, but they don't use food as a way to express their emotions. Bulimics use food in the same way some people use shopping and makeovers; it's just a temporary diversion. Whatever problems bulimics have before they overeat and purge will still be there when they're through. Hopefully bulimics can find a way to cut through the smoke and take a real look into their mirror.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Eating Disorders

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How To Prevent A Bulimia Eating Disorder Relapse

By Sandra Kim Leong

Bulimia is an eating disorder that is increasingly common. There are many causes of bulimia. One of which is the vast influence of the media. The media has been blamed for its constant portrayal of body images that are unrealistic and difficult to attain. Its definition of what is beautiful has a significant impact on the imagery formed in the minds of young teenagers and even adults.

If you have a bulimia eating disorder, you suffer both in the mind and the body. You have a poor self image, and feel depressed. You may also feel isolated as you seek to keep your condition a secret from your friends and loved ones. Physically, a bulimia eating disorder can cause much harm to your body and including, death.

As a bulimic, you have two options in terms of dealing with your condition. You can either seek help or allowing the disorder to waste your body away. You may like to know that the statistical chance of success when you seek for help appears good with counseling and therapy. Studies show that eighty percent of all sufferers get successfully treated for their disorder. Unfortunately, many relapse, and hence, it is important that you learn about how to prevent a bulimia relapse.

Firstly, you should avoid the situation of becoming too hungry. While you should not be eating all the time, if you restrict yourself heavily, you may be all the more likely to binge eat. Studies have shown that when someone is undergoing a serious diet, they are much more likely to binge eat.

Next, binge eating on certain foods such as high cholesterol foods, can be extremely harmful. So you should refrain from eating them as much. Also, it is best not to make these foods as taboo. When you do so, you may find more and more drawn to it. And when you cannot resist the temptation anymore, you binge eat on it. Instead, you should try to cut down the portion size of the food that you are lusting for as a first step.

It is obvious that you should avoid going to places where you tend to eat by the mouthful. These may include buffets or fast food restaurants where you have a habit of upsizing your meals. Being in this environment can easily make you want to pig out.

If you find the urge to binge and purge overwhelming, try restraining yourself for thirty minutes. Then, during this time, use some positive visualization techniques. You can imagine how and what you would feel if you overcome bingeing. Imagine the happiness and the health that you will enjoy when you no longer have a bulimia eating disorder. Associate yourself with the feelings and emotions of joy so much so that when your mind gets back to your current situation, you would have lost interest in your meal.

Finally, have fun. Try to do at least one thing per day that lifts your mood. It cannot be denied that a bulimia eating disorder is a difficult problem to overcome. The mental strain that it places upon you can be difficult to deal with. Should you find it hard to overcome bulimia on your own and you suspect that a relapse is imminent, speak to a physician or a counselor immediately. Getting the support that you need can make all the difference between healthy habits and relapsing into a bulimia eating disorder once again.

Sandra Kim Leong writes about bulimia eating disorder and other types of disordered eating. For free tips, please visit http://www.eating-disorder-research.com

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Can you fight Bulimia and Other Food Addictions with Herbal Medicine?

By Irina Webster

Bulimics and other food addicts eat compulsively. They can’t stop their compulsive behavior once they have started their binge eating and tend to disregard the consequences of their behaviors.

These people are persistently preoccupied with buying, preparing, cooking and eating food. They also can sneak or steal food, hide the food in their bags, cupboards, drawers and other places. When the food supply is cut off, withdrawal symptoms can occur, including chills, dizziness, headaches, poor concentration, nausea and lethargy.

A food-related addiction can also be accompanied by co addictions. Many bulimics may also binge on alcohol or get addicted to prescription drugs or even over-the-counter medications like diuretics and laxatives. Bulimics may be addicted to cigarettes to help moderate their food cravings.

The treatment for food addicts and bulimics is complex. Behavioral therapy, family therapy, nutritional therapy and even hospitalization can be used to treat sufferers. But the most difficult thing in the treatment process still remains their coping with cravings to binge or binge and purge during the recovery process.

If only you can stop these cravings to overeat things would be different! Some sufferers even describe it as little voices in their head that force them to binge. If only you can stop the little voices or at least make them not as strong people maybe able to cope better.

Many methods have been tried to kick a food addiction. The most beneficial methods are probably the ones which involved changing a person’s way of thinking and dealing with emotions. But I also found that some herbal therapy can help you to fight your food addiction also. These herbs seem to be useful for kicking food addictions:

Gymnema blocks the taste and metabolism of sugar if consumed before eating. It can quickly help your body stop sugar dependency.

Amla is rich in nutrients, especially vitamin C. Ayurvedic medicine uses it a lot to help people feel lighter and happier. It is also a mild laxative.

Alfalfa is also rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. But the main benefit is that it contains enzymes that helps digest the food (for bulimics it is necessary because bulimics have slow digestive processes).

Ginger stimulates circulation to all parts of the body. Also it improves digestion and gives body more energy.

Burdock improves fat metabolism and eliminates extra water from the body. It is very beneficial for kidney, liver and bowel function.

Nettle is a traditional remedy for cellulite. Also eliminates extra water from the body and stimulates blood circulation.

Dandelion Root improves liver function and metabolism of fat. The leaf is a natural diuretic and is rich in trace minerals, especially potassium.

Fennel Seed is a natural appetite suppressant and helps to control your cravings for specific foods.

Cola Nut is a stimulant. It contains caffeine and theobromine. It can be used to suppress hunger and mental exhaustion.

Cinnamon is naturally sweet. It can lower the desire for other sugars. It also improves circulation.

St. John’s Wort is a natural antidepressant and anxiety reliever. It can help to stop emotional eating.

Valerian Root is a natural sedative. It also can be used to stop emotional eating.

Yerba Mate works as an appetite suppressant, an antidepressant and a mild stimulant. It can stop a binging cycle. It is also rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

Flaxseed oil can help to stop cravings for fatty food. Take a one tablespoon of this oil daily to stop fat cravings.

This is only a few of many other herbs that can help to fight food addictions and bulimia. For more information go to www.mom-please-help.com

Dr Irina Webster is the Director of Women Health Issues Program which covers different areas of Women Health.

Dr Irina Webster has a wholistic approach to medicine and her favorite area is to discover natural treatments for Women health problems and share these treatments and methods with other people.

Dr Irina Webster believes that the majority of women health problems can be treated naturally without drugs or surgical treatment.

At present she does Eating Disorder natural treatment research. http://www.mom-please-help.com

Dr Irina's web-site: http://www.womenhealthsite.com

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Eating Disorder - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating

By Michael Russell

An eating disorder is characterized by a strange eating behavior and unhealthy beliefs about eating and weight. It is most commonly found in a young female during her adolescence. It can go undetected for years. You must recognize an eating disorder before the treatment process can begin. There are 3 main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by restricted eating or self-starvation. They have a fear of food because they are afraid of becoming overweight. A person with anorexia nervosa refuses to maintain a safe body weight. They try to reach a dangerously low weight by going on extreme diets, fasting and compulsively exercising. Some people even refuse to eat and put themselves in danger of starving to death. They view themselves as being fat even if they are actually emaciated or dangerously thin. They set unreasonably high standards for how their body should look. A person with anorexia nervosa will usually undergo bouts of depression and anxiety. They may also abuse illegal drugs or go through mood swings. Some women may go through three or more consecutive months without a menstrual period. A case of anorexia nervosa usually begins while you are dieting and after a stressful event has occurred. About 1 percent of the American population has anorexia nervosa. About 90 percent of these cases happen to females. Most of these people are Caucasians who come from middle-class and upper-class backgrounds. About 5 to 10 percent of the people who suffer from anorexia nervosa die because of starvation, cardiac arrest, or suicide.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that consists of repeated bouts of binge eating. A person who is a binge eater has an uncontrollable urge to eat excessive amounts of food. This person will believe that he or she is overweight even when they are not. Some of these people induce vomiting, also known as purging, or use laxatives or diuretics to get rid of all of the food that was eaten during binging. Other people might fast and/or exercise excessively instead. People with bulimia nervosa might also abuse illegal drugs, feel depressed, or feel uneasy or fearful for no reason. The medical complications that accompany bulimia nervosa are not as dangerous as those that accompany anorexia nervosa. All of the binging and purging or fasting might result in dental and periodontal problems, heart problems, bleeding in the esophagus and ruptures in the lining of the stomach. About 2 percent of the American population suffers from bulimia nervosa. About 90 percent of these people are female. Most of these people are Caucasians from middle-class and upper-class backgrounds. However, it is getting more common among non-Caucasian groups. Bulimia nervosa occurs mainly to vulnerable people who have already suffered through a traumatizing event.

No one had heard of binge eating disorder until the term was first introduced to the public in 1992. Binge eating disorder consists of repeated bouts of overeating. A person with this disorder has an irresistible need to eat. Eating is usually done in private. After the eating is done, this person usually feels very guilty or remorseful. However, unlike bulimia nervosa, there is no purging, fasting, excessive exercising, or use of laxatives or diuretics. About 3 percent of Americans suffer from the binge eating disorder. Most people with this disorder are adults. It may surprise some people to know that just as many females as males are afflicted with it and it is also prevalent across all ethnic groups. You do not have to be overweight to be diagnosed with this disorder. In spite of this, studies indicate that 40 percent of obese people have the binge eating disorder. These people are at a higher risk for medical complications because of further weight gain. Binge eaters who are also obese might also abuse illegal drugs, suffer from depression, lack self-confidence, or feel that his or her body does not measure up to the standards of modern society. Medical researchers have yet to determine the cause of this eating disorder.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Eating Disorders Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell