Eating Disorders- Bulimia Flashcards
What is Bulimia nervosa?
Episodes of binging followed by intentional vomiting or other purgative behaviours
What do purgative behaviours include?
Vomiting
Use of laxatives or diuretics
Exercising
To prevent calories being absorbed
How is someone with bulimia different from someone with anorexia nervosa?
Patient with bulimia has a normal BMI
What are the 3 main presentations of bulimia nervosa?
- Dental erosion
- Parotid gland swelling
- Russell’s sign
What is Russel’s sign?
Calluses or scarring on knuckles from induced vomiting
What are the biochemical presentations of bulimia nervosa?
Alkalosis due to vomiting hydrochloric acid from the stomach
Hypokalaemia
What are the characteristics of bulimia nervosa?
- Binge eating: Loss of control, eating enormous amounts
- Purging: shame and guilt leading to attempts to ‘undo damage’
- Body image distortion: feeling fat
- BMI > 17.5
What is the first line management of bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia-nervosa-focused guided self-help
What is the second line management of bulimia nervosa?
Eating-disorder-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-ED)
After how long of trying bulimia-nervosa-focused guided self-help for adults would you offer second line management?
4 weeks
