Eating disorders: causes, treatment

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor of Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital

Eating disorders can have a very negative impact on a person's work, study, and daily life. Binge eating is a form of eating disorder and adversely affects the quality of life of patients.

1. What is binge eating?

Binge-eating disorder is a type of serious eating disorder in which the sufferer regularly consumes unusually large amounts of food and finds it impossible to stop eating.
Most ordinary people have experienced times of eating a lot, such as in parties, anniversaries, parties, etc. But some people have crossed the line of normality, unable to self- controlling your own overeating, letting it happen again and again, and progressing to bulimia.
When suffering from bulimia, the sufferer himself feels ashamed of how much he eats and wants to stop, but he is always driven by a sense of urgency that makes eating impossible, leading to eat non-stop. Fortunately, it is possible to treat bulimia with bulimia.

2. What causes bulimia

The cause of bulimia is not known until now, but genetic factors, biological factors, prolonged diet and psychiatric problems may increase the risk bulimia occurs.
Binge eating disorder is more common in women than in men. Although it can occur in anyone, at any age, bulimia most often appears in late adolescence or early 20s.
Risk factors increase the likelihood The occurrence of bulimia includes:
Family history: the risk of developing an eating disorder is increased if a family member (parent, sibling) has or currently has an eating disorder. This suggests that genetic factors may be factors that increase the likelihood of developing eating disorders. Diet: many people with bulimia have a history of dieting. Dieting or eating on an energy-restricted diet during the day can trigger cravings, especially when you're showing signs of depression. Mental problems: many people with bulimia have negative feelings about themselves, their abilities, and their results. Factors that can trigger binge eating include stress, low self-esteem, availability of favorite foods, etc.

3. Manifestations of bulimia

Most people with bulimia are overweight or obese, but there are people who are normal weight. Behavioral and emotional signs of bulimia include:
Eating unusually large amounts of food in a given period of time, such as eating too much in two hours. Feeling that eating behavior is out of control. Continue to eat even if you feel full or not hungry. The speed of eating is very fast when in a meal. Eat non-stop until you can't take it anymore. Often eat alone or in secret. Feeling hopeless, disgusted, ashamed, guilty, or sad about your eating behavior. Regularly dieting, and still may not lose weight. Unlike a person with bulimia, after experiencing a meal, a person with bulimia often does not rebalance the excess energy intake by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising. over-exercise. People with bulimia may try to diet or eat normal meals, but a strict diet can lead to the onset of binge eating episodes.
The severity of bulimia is determined by how often binge eating occurs in a week.
If any symptoms of bulimia appear, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Binge eating problems vary from person to person, and can appear briefly, then recur, or persist for years if left untreated.

4. Complications of bulimia

If left untreated, people with bulimia can develop related physical and mental problems. Binge eating can cause the following complications:
Impaired quality of life. Trouble at work, social interactions or private life. Separation from society. Fat. Health problems associated with obesity, such as joint problems, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and certain breathing disorders in sleep. Psychiatric disorders commonly associated with bulimia include:
Depression . Bipolar affective disorder. Anxiety disorders . Substance abuse.

5. Treatment of bulimia

The treatment goal of bulimia is to minimize binge eating and re-establish healthy eating habits. Because bulimia can be accompanied by negative emotions (such as shame, low self-esteem, etc.), treatment can also target accompanying psychiatric problems, such as: depression. Through treatment, people with the disease can regain control over eating.

5.1 Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy will help people with bulimia (as well as people with other eating disorders) change their eating habits, reduce the number of episodes, and reestablish and maintain healthy eating habits.

5.2. Medicines for treatment

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse), a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has become the first drug to be approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. For adults with moderate and severe bulimia, however, Vyvanse is also a stimulant, which can lead to dependence and abuse. Common side effects of the drug include dry mouth and insomnia, but more serious side effects can also occur. Some other drugs can be used to relieve symptoms, for example: Topiramate (Topamax): is an anticonvulsant, but also works to reduce the number of episodes of binge eating. The drug has many undesirable effects. Antidepressants: May reduce binge eating, although the mechanism of action is unknown.

5.3. Weight loss plan

Many people with bulimia have a history of failed weight loss. However, a weight loss plan should not be put in place before the bulimia has been treated, because weight loss diets can trigger food cravings, making weight loss unsuccessful.

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Article referenced source: mayoclinic.org