Abstract
In this modern era, most people want a perfect physique. In order to be slim and fit they do starving, self induced vomiting after eating heavy meals, etc. Although in some people it become a psychological condition irrespective of the age, sex, and weight. This condition is known as - Bulimia nervosa or bulimia. It was first explained by a British Psychiatrist Gerald Russell in 1979 as a 'chronic phase of Anorexia nervosa ' which is defined as a disorder in which a person overeat and then purge or do self induced vomiting, prolonged starvation, and laxatives in order to get rid of extra calories or fat. Here in this article, we are going to discuss all about bulimia or Bulimia nervosa and its Ayurvedic management.
What is Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa also known as Bulimia is a life-threatening eating disorder in which a person has episodes of binge eating or large amounts of food and then self-induced emesis or vomiting. In this condition, the patient has a loss of control over the eating and results in eating heavy meals and then suffers with feelings of guilt or stomach discomfort. Due to which the patient in order to prevent weight gain and to lose extra calories uses compensatory methods like self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diuretics, weight-loss supplement, or prolonged starvations or other ways to get rid of calories like excessive exercises. People with Bulimia nervosa are self image conscious, and can be hard to overcome. But with proper management and counseling it can be curable and can prevent serious complications.
Who gets Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa can found in people of any sex, age, gender, race, ethnicity, as well as shape, size or body weights. Usually it is more found in early adulthood or late in adolescence but also diagnosed in young children and during geriatric years. Bulimia nervosa is more common in females than males. People with Bulimia are dissatisfied with their shape and weights either they are of normal weight, low weight, or overweight.
What is the difference between Bulimia Nervosa and other eating disorders
People with Bulimia Nervosa have ashamed feelings of their purges or binges and usually perform their binge and purge behaviors secretly. They are aware of their problem. Due to the feeling of guilt or shame most of the people with Bulimia don't seek medical care. Whereas in other eating disorders like Anorexia nervosa - the person may deny or doesn't recognize that he is suffering from this problem. People with Anorexia nervosa may normally binge or purge without considering this as a problem but in Bulimia nervosa this behavior of binge and purge is recognized as a problem. On the other hand, Binge eating disorder is limited to binge behaviour only.
What are the Causes of Bulimia Nervosa
The exact cause of Bulimia Nervosa is still not known. However, studies have shown that it may be due to genetic or biological factors and also social or psychological factors.
- Biological factors- It can include an imbalance of hormones like serotonin, etc. or depletion of electrolytes that create an excess desire of eating and in turn leads to purging the system.
- Social factors - Social factors include the pressure many women and men feel to be fit or thin to achieve the modern version of an ideal figure.
- Psychological factors - may include depression, low self-esteem, emotional or traumatic stress, and poor self body image that leads to the breakdown of the sensory organ function or the thinking process. The body starts to compensate for this breakdown but our mind can only work in one direction at a particular time. This will lead to so many thought processes in the mind and the connection between the brain and digestive system get compromised and leads to the natural reaction of the body of an urge to clear the food from the body.
What are the signs and symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
The symptoms of Bulimia nervosa are categorized into behavioral or emotional and physical symptoms
Behavioral and emotional symptoms of bulimia nervosa are:
- Eating excess food
- Frequent visits to the washroom, specially after meals
- Self induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives, diuretics and other supplements or medicines to prevent weight gain
- Excessive exercise or extreme physical activity
- Self conscious about body image
- An intense fear of weight gain
- Mood swings or depression
- Loss of control over feelings
- Guilt or feeling shame about eating
- Withdrawing socially from family and friends
Physical Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
- Swelling on the face or swollen parotid glands which is visible at the jawline or cheeks
- Indigestion, bloating, heartburn
- Irregular menstruation
- Weakness or fatigue
- Redness of eyes
- Dental problems like erosion of the tooth enamel
- Sore throat
- Petechiaie (pinpoint bruising) on the back of the throat
- Bleeding gums
- Thickening or scratches on the back of the knuckles
- Oral sores
What are the complications associated with Bulimia Nervosa
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Dental cavities and tooth sensitivity
- Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands
- Stomach ulcers
- Erosion in the lining of the esophagus and stomach
- Constipation
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Irregular heart rate
- Heart attack in severe cases
- Higher risk for suicidal behavior
Diagnosis
Your doctor may ask you about your eating habits, and physical symptoms and may do some other physical examinations along with some test like -
He may also use the criteria for Bulimia nervosa published by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Treatment
In Modern science, the goal of treatment includes breaking the binge and purge behavior and correcting the thinking pattern. This can be done by either psychological counseling, behavioral therapy that includes Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and by the use of antidepressant medicines or supplements.
Ayurvedic Management of Bulimia Nervosa
Ayurveda is based on the concept of three doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The balance of these doshas is known as the health state whereas the imbalance state leads to the disease. In eating disorders like bulimia nervosa there is a huge role of Agni (digestive fire) and also the Prakriti (body constituent) of the person. A person with tikshna agni (pitta agni) has difficulty in refraining from eating food whereas the people with Vishama agni (vitiated digestive fire) willingly forget to eat. Beside this stress also plays a huge role in bulimia nervosa.
The Ayurvedic treatment of Bulimia nervosa includes balancing the vitiated doshas, normalizing the metabolism, and enhancing the immune and nervous system along with body detoxification and proper counseling. It includes Panchakarma procedures like Vamana, Virechana, Shiro dhara, along with some ayurvedic herbs like Brahmi, Ashwagandha, etc.
Herbal Remedies for Bulimia Nervosa by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified herbal manufacturing company based in India founded in 2002 by Dr. Vikram Chauhan and this company came into existence as a brand name known as Krishna herbal company. The products of the company are 100% herbal, safe, pure, and vegetarian. The products of Planet Ayurveda are made from the pure extracts of ayurvedic herbs. Planet Ayurveda offers the following herbal remedies for the treatment of Bulimia nervosa -
- Garcinia Capsules
- Arogyavardhini Vati
- Digestion Support
- Sanjivani Vati
- Neurogenie Capsules
Product's Description
1. Garcinia Capsules
This is a single herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda prepared from the pure extract of a potent herb Garcinia ( Garcinia cambogia) that will help in improving digestion and body metabolism. It will help you to lose weight naturally and it is totally safe with no side effects. It burns the fats quickly and thus in the patient of Bulimia nervosa who wants to lose weight this will be very effective.
Dosage - 2 capsules twice in a day with plain water after meals.
2. Arogyavardhini Vati
This is a classical herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda in a tablet form. This herbal formulation is prepared from the blend of some powerful herbs like Triphala - Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula), Amalaki ( Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki ( Terminalia bellirica), Chitraka ( Plumbago zeylanica), Kutki ( Picrorhiza kurroa), etc. These herbs are very effective in emulsifying or burning the fats and helps to boost the immune system. This will help in reducing the fat and calories and is very effective in the patients with Bulimia nervosa.
Dosage - 2 tablets twice a day with plain water.
3. Digestion Support
It is a polyherbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda prepared from the blend of effective digestive herbs like Amla ( Emblica officinalis), Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula), Bahera ( Terminalia bellerica), Dhania ( Coriander sativum), Pippali ( Piper longum), Sounf ( Foeniculum vulgare), and Jeerak ( Cyminum cuminum). These herbs are very effective in the digestive problem and promote digestion. This helps to balance the digestive fire and metabolism and thus is used in Bulimia nervosa.
Dosage - 1 capsule two times a day with plain water after meals.
4. Sanjivani Vati
It is a classical polyherbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda made from the combination of potent herbs like Harar ( Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia bellirica), Pippali ( Piper longum), Vacha ( Acorus calamus), Giloy ( Tinospora cordifolia), Amla ( Emblica officinalis) and Sonth ( Zingiber officinale). This herbal formulation helps in removing the Ama (toxins) from the body and helps to boost the immunity. It enhances digestion by boosting the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Sanjivani vati helps in managing the vitiated digestive fire and thus shows very good results in Bulimia nervosa.
Dosage - 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.
5. Neurogenie Capsules
Is a polyherbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda prepared from the powerful nervine tonic herbs like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), and Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifer a) and acts as a powerful nervine tonic, immune booster, antioxidant, and prevents stress or anxiety. These herbs help to combat mental and physical stress, reduce inflammation, lower the blood pressure, and also boosts the immune system. Thus it is very helpful in the psychological disorder like Bulimia nervosa.
Dosage - 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
Conclusion
At last we can conclude that Bulimia nervosa can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated and there is no specific treatment available in modern science for this. But in Ayurveda we manage this disease from its root cause through specific Ayurvedic herbs. Planet Ayurveda offers wonderful herbal formulations which have very good results in this condition. Planet Ayurveda products are 100% herbal, vegetarian, pure, and safe. We hope the above-mentioned information regarding Bulimia nervosa and its ayurvedic treatment will be beneficial for the one who suffers. For more details of our products, you can check our website www.planetayurveda.com. For more queries, you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com.