Bulimia Nervosa
Basics
Description
An eating disorder which includes binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors; symptoms include:
- Episodes of binge eating, lack of self-control for eating
- Inappropriate compensations
- For example, excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, inappropriate diuretics use
- Alternating binge eating and compensations for prolonged time
- Distorted self-body image
- System(s) affected: oropharyngeal, endocrine/metabolic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, psychiatric
Epidemiology
- Mean age of onset: 18 to 21 years
- Predominant sex: female > male (13:1)
Prevalence
Up to 3% of females and ~1% of males in their lifetime
Etiology and Pathophysiology
Combination of biologic, psychological, environmental, and social factors
Genetics
Heritability estimated to be up to 41%
Risk Factors
- Female gender
- History of obesity and dieting
- Body dissatisfaction: critical comments about weight, body shape, or eating: low self-esteem
- Depression, social anxiety, severe life stressor
- Poor impulse control, substance abuse
- Family history of substance abuse, affective disorders, eating disorder, or obesity
- Diabetes
- Childhood trauma (sexual or physical abuse, neglect)
General Prevention
- Realistic and healthy weight management strategies and attitudes
- Decrease body dissatisfaction and promote self-esteem.
- Reduce focus on thin as ideal.
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Major depression, dysthymia, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, bipolar disorders
- Substance use disorder
- Personality disorders: borderline, schizotypal, antisocial (1)
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Bulimia Nervosa." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 27th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2020. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116097/all/Bulimia_Nervosa.
Bulimia Nervosa. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2020. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116097/all/Bulimia_Nervosa. Accessed December 2, 2023.
Bulimia Nervosa. (2020). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (27th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116097/all/Bulimia_Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2020. [cited 2023 December 02]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116097/all/Bulimia_Nervosa.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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T1 - Bulimia Nervosa
ID - 116097
ED - Domino,Frank J,
ED - Baldor,Robert A,
ED - Golding,Jeremy,
ED - Stephens,Mark B,
BT - 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Updating
UR - https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116097/all/Bulimia_Nervosa
PB - Wolters Kluwer
ET - 27
DB - Medicine Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -