Skip to main content

Bulimia Nervosa: The Signs, Symptoms, & Impact

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Education.

Bulimia Nervosa

According to the National Eating Disorder Association…

Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

Symptoms

  • Frequent episodes of consuming very large amount of food followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting.
  • A feeling of being out of control during the binge-eating episodes.
  • Self-esteem overly related to body image.

The chance for recovery increases the earlier bulimia nervosa is detected. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of bulimia nervosa.

Warning Signs of Bulimia Nervosa

  • Evidence of binge eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or finding wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food.
  • Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.
  • Excessive, rigid exercise regimen–despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, the compulsive need to “burn off” calories taken in.
  • Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area.
  • Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
  • Discoloration or staining of the teeth.
  • Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
  • Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
  • In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.
  • Continued exercise despite injury; overuse injuries.

Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa can be extremely harmful to the body.  The recurrent binge-and-purge cycles can damage the entire digestive system and purging behaviors can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organ functions.  Some of the health consequences of bulimia nervosa include:

  • Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.  Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium and sodium from the body as a result of purging behaviors.
  • Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
  • Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting.
  • Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
  • Gastric rupture is an uncommon but possible side effect of binge eating.

About Bulimia Nervosa

  • Bulimia nervosa affects 1-2% of adolescent and young adult women.
  • Approximately 80% of bulimia nervosa patients are female.
  • People struggling with bulimia nervosa usually appear to be of average body weight.
  • Many people struggling with bulimia nervosa recognize that their behaviors are unusual and perhaps dangerous to their health.
  • Bulimia nervosa is frequently associated with symptoms of depression and changes in social adjustment.
  • Risk of death from suicide or medical complications is markedly increased for eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: The Signs, Symptoms, & Impact

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Education.

Anorexia Nervosa

According to the National Eating Disorder Association…

Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Symptoms

  • Inadequate food intake leading to a weight that is clearly too low.
  • Intense fear of weight gain, obsession with weight and persistent behavior to prevent weight gain.
  • Self-esteem overly related to body image.
  • Inability to appreciate the severity of the situation.
  • Binge-Eating/Purging Type involves binge eating and/or purging behaviors during the last three months.
  • Restricting Type does not involve binge eating or purging.

Eating disorders experts have found that prompt intensive treatment significantly improves the chances of recovery.  Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of anorexia nervosa.

Warning Signs

  • Dramatic weight loss.
  • Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting.
  • Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g. no carbohydrates, etc.).
  • Frequent comments about feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss.
  • Anxiety about gaining weight or being “fat.”
  • Denial of hunger.
  • Development of food rituals (e.g. eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate).
  • Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food.
  • Excessive, rigid exercise regimen–despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, the need to “burn off” calories taken in.
  • Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
  • In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.

Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa involves self-starvation.; The body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally, so it is forced to slow down all its processes to conserve energy. This “slowing down” can have serious medical consequences:

  • Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing.  The risk for heart failure rises as heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.
  • Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.
  • Muscle loss and weakness.
  • Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
  • Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
  • Dry hair and skin, hair loss is common.
  • Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.

About Anorexia Nervosa

  • Approximately 90-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are girls and women.
  • Between 0.5–1% of American women suffer from anorexia nervosa.
  • Anorexia nervosa is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in young women.
  • Between 5-20% of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa will die.  The probabilities of death increases within that range depending on the length of the condition.
  • Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest death rates of any mental health condition.
  • Anorexia nervosa typically appears in early to mid-adolescence.

Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists: Similarities and Differences

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Education.

Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Nutritionists have a similar professional passion – to help guide others in living their best lives through individualized and balanced eating patterns, movement routines, and overall self-care. However, there are stark differences in the education, training, and legal certification processes between Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists that are important to recognize when choosing the nutrition professional that is best suited to meet your needs.

Education and Training
All RDs must complete a formal education program resulting in a minimum of a 4-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited university. These degree programs include extensive coursework in the following areas:

  • Biology and Microbiology
  • Organic chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Foodservice systems management
  • Food and nutrition sciences
  • Computer science and Business
  • Sociology and Psychology
  • Economics

Dietitians have also participated in a rigorous practical internship (minimum of 1,200 hours of hands-on experience) and are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, metabolic disorders, and many other disease states. Nutritionists may have certificates and/or degrees in nutrition-related fields but are not required to complete the same formal education programs as RDs and cannot legally or ethically provide medical nutrition therapy.

Legal Certification
To become a registered dietitian, one must pass a comprehensive national exam and will likely need to acquire a license to practice in their individual locations. These certifications are upheld through renewal processes and by completing ongoing continuing education requirements. Non-licensed Nutritionists do not have to uphold national or state credentials and do not have to complete continuing education activities. “Nutritionist” is not a regulated title, so anyone can call themselves one regardless of their educational background, work experience, or services offered.

When embarking on your journey to balanced nutrition, ensure that you are choosing the nutrition professional that has the qualifications, experience, and ability to meet your individual needs and to help guide you in reaching your health and wellness goals!