Constantly Healthy

Bulimia is a sickness that has become more and more rampant in today’s modern world. The causes of this eating disorder are countless. Some blame it on the media because of its modern definition of what is beautiful or sexy. Body images that are unrealistic and almost impossible to attain are planted in the young minds of teenagers and even some adults.

Bulimics suffer both physically and psychologically. Not only does their weight fluctuate at an unhealthy rate, but they also feel depression because of their poor self image. In some extreme cases, bulimia has been known to kill a number of its patients.
Fortunately, people afflicted with this disease have a good chance of beating it—provided that they seek professional help. Around 80% of all bulimics are able to get successful treatment so long as they undergo therapy and counseling.

Unfortunately, bulimic relapse is a common occurrence. This is why it is important to know the ways to prevent a relapse.

• Avoid becoming too hungry. Binge eating is usually caused by extreme deprivation so be sure to diet moderately.
• It is also advisable to watch what you eat. High-carb and high-cholesterol foods should be avoided, but you also shouldn’t make them taboo. Doing so might make you feel more drawn towards it. So as a first step, it is ideal cut down on high-fat foods instead of eliminating them entirely from your diet.
• Places that promote overeating should also be avoided. This includes fast food restaurants, buffets, or parties. Your environment will be crucial to your goal of avoiding a relapse.
• Whenever you have compulsion to binge and purge, try to restrain yourself for around half an hour. Try a few positive visualization techniques such as the feeling of accomplishment you’ll get once you are able to overcome this urge.
• Lastly, you should also have some fun. Do at least one activity per day that will make you happy and uplift your mood. Keeping yourself occupied should get your mind off eating or sulking over your disorder.

Bulimia is a specific type of eating disorder that is characterized by the patient’s intense fear of being fat. It involves a constant pattern of rapid excessive eating which is then succeeded by purging or forcing one’s self to vomit. Victims are also known to makes use of excessive amount of laxatives and bulimia is also often associated with over exercising. Below are some of the tell-tale signs of bulimia. If you see any of these symptoms on your loved one, be sure to get in touch with a professional for some help.

1. Excessive fasting or not eating for extended periods is one of the most obvious signs of bulimia.
2. The exercise habits of a person can also be a symptom. Is she exercising excessively after meals? Does she explicitly say why she’s exercising? (ex.: “I’ll have to run a couple of miles to burn that cake I just had.”)
3. Fainting spells and dizziness is also a symptom of bulimia. Vomiting requires a lot of energy and by not letting the body consume the food one eats, it is left with very little nutrients. This may cause bulimics to feel fatigued and unable to perform their daily activities.
4. Bulimics will also have an unhealthy preoccupation with weight, food, and physique. They are usually overly critical with how they look, especially after meals.
5. Yoyo-ing of weight or the constant changes in weight is also an obvious sign. Not all bulimics constantly lose weight. Some may put on weight as fast as they lose them.
6. Other telltale signs of vomiting include red knuckles, puffiness of the face, and tooth decay which is caused by the acids produced when throwing up.
7. One of the most obvious signs of bulimia is frequent visits to the bathroom after meals. Bulimics usually purge their food right after they eat and the bathroom is the most common place where this is done.

Bulimia has become one of the most dreaded eating disorders in the world today. Although a lot of victims are able to beat bulimia because of counseling and therapy, the main problem is with people who don’t even know they have been afflicted or are too ashamed to admit it. Identifying the disease should be the first step. Once you know that a loved one is suffering from bulimia it should be much easier to help her get better.

Here are some tips on how to beat bulimia.

• Early detection is crucial. Treatment should be done as early as possible to increase the chances of curing the illness.
• Because bulimia is a psychological disorder, it is ideal to treat it in an environment that is supportive. Support groups are always a good idea to allow sharing with fellow victims.
• Multi-vitamin supplements should also be given to patients to compensate for the deficiency of vitamins and minerals caused by purging.
• Residential treatment centers may also be an option for some patients—especially those who are in and advanced stage.
• It is also necessary to identify the underlying psychological problems that may have caused bulimic behavior. Once you know the cause it will be easier to cure and avoid in the future.
• People should also consult a professional dietician to come up with a healthy and sufficient diet that will supply the patient with all the nutrients her body needs.
• Aside from eating healthy food products, bulimics should also be given foods that have a low glycemic index.
• Look at the different aspects of your life and determine where improvements can be made. This includes family, home, spiritual life, friends, spare time, studies, work, etc.
• It is necessary to keep a positive attitude and understand that you will be able to beat this disorder. This is not only applicable to the patient but to her family as well as they will be influencing how she feels and thinks.