How to control bulimia?

Bulimia is a condition found in people who lack confidence in their body or work in occupations that are heavily related to appearance. Controlling bulimia nervosa will help prevent unwanted consequences of the disease (on weight, mental health,…).

1. What is bulimia?

Bulimia nervosa ( binge eating disorder ) is an eating disorder characterized by the patient often binge eating, then looking for measures to avoid gaining weight. The patient will consume a large amount of food in a short period of time, then find ways to eliminate this food by vomiting, exercising a lot, using weight loss drugs, etc.

Bulimia can cause patients to eat a lot without control, which can lead to bulimia nervosa . This is a disease caused by risk factors such as biology, psychological health, social expectations, etc. The disease is common in people who lack confidence in their body and people working in industries. have high requirements for appearance like actors, singers,…

The consequence of bulimia is that the patient gains too much weight, easily becoming obese . Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease , high blood pressure , type 2 diabetes , etc. At the same time, people with binge eating are also susceptible to other mental problems such as depression , anxiety, bipolar disorder , possible substance abuse, stress, difficulty sleeping, lack of confidence,…

Patients with bulimia are prone to obesity

2. How to control bulimia

If you suffer from binge eating, you should not worry too much because it can be treated successfully. Doctors will test blood and urine, perform a general health check, and consider the patient’s eating habits, emotions, and psychology to make appropriate control and treatment options. Some measures include:

2.1 Change eating and living habits

• Drink enough water: Increasing the amount of water you drink will help soothe hunger and reduce calorie intake. Drinking plenty of water during the day is a simple but very effective measure in curbing cravings and thereby helping to reduce overeating;
• Avoid skipping meals: The habit of skipping meals will increase cravings, increasing the risk of eating too much food at the next meal. Therefore, to reduce the frequency of binge eating episodes, each person should eat enough meals in moderation and maintain this eating habit seriously;
• Quit your diet: Some studies show that overly strict diets can cause binge eating episodes. Therefore, you should not abstain too much. When wanting to lose weight, each person can follow a healthy diet such as: Eat lots of whole foods (vegetables, whole grains, fruits) and reduce the amount of food consumed instead of eliminating it. completely remove a certain food from the diet;
• Increase intake of fiber-rich foods: Results of many studies show that increasing the amount of fiber in the diet can reduce cravings, reduce appetite and reduce food intake because of the high fiber content. Fiber passes through the digestive system more slowly, so it feels full longer. The way to supplement fiber for the body is to eat foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains,…;
• Exercise: Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise will help control bulimia. Besides, exercise also reduces stress levels, improves mood, and prevents emotional eating. Some suitable exercises that patients can apply include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, yoga,…;

Eating foods rich in fiber can reduce cravings

• Other measures: Add protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and beans to your diet (for a long-lasting feeling of fullness, control appetite, increase metabolism); Get enough sleep, guaranteed 8 hours/day.

2.2 Psychological therapy

Patients go to the doctor for advice and treatment if their binge eating cannot be controlled despite taking the above measures. Patients can be tested and treated for diseases that cause binge eating or use psychotherapy and antidepressants to overcome this condition.

Psychotherapy can improve symptoms of binge eating. Specifically:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Helps patients recognize negative, unhealthy behaviors to change with positive health behaviors;
• Individual psychotherapy: Helps handle difficult problems in the patient’s relationships with people around them so they can improve their communication and problem-solving skills;
• Family-based therapy: Family members need to intervene, prevent the patient’s unhealthy eating behavior, and support the patient to control their own eating in a scientific way.

Using antidepressants when combined with psychotherapy can help reduce symptoms of binge eating. Some antidepressants used to treat bulimia include: Fluoxetine, selective Serotonin inhibitors,…

In addition, patients need to consult a nutritionist to build a balanced diet to help achieve a healthy weight. If you are overweight, you may be instructed to lose weight with specific therapies. During treatment, patients need to consult a doctor when intending to use foods or herbs that have weight loss effects.

Bulimia can be effectively controlled by applying dietary and lifestyle adjustments, combined with changing thinking and using medication. If you are at risk of developing this disorder or are showing warning signs of the disease, you should see a doctor early to get checked and get better health care.

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