What will the doctor do for bulimia?
Antidepressants may help reduce the symptoms of bulimia when used along with psychotherapy. The only antidepressant specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat bulimia is fluoxetine (Prozac), a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which may help even if you’re not depressed.
Can your body heal after bulimia?
When you are no longer binging and purging, the body is better able to heal. Your body will do some of the repairing on its own, but you can help by practicing healthy self-care like proper nutrition, staying hydrated and getting plenty of sleep.
How can you tell if someone has bulimia?
Common Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
- Constant weight gain or loss.
- Stomach pain not related to illness.
- Dizziness.
- Fainting.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Brittle hair and nails.
- Discolored teeth.
- Irregular menstrual periods.
How can I tell if my daughter is purging?
Behavioral signs of bulimia
- Preoccupation with food and weight.
- Distorted body image.
- Long periods of time spent in the bathroom—sometimes with the faucet running, to mask the sound of vomiting.
- Depression.
- Anxious about eating, especially dining out in public.
- Abuse of laxatives, enemas, emetics, diuretics.
Can blood tests show bulimia?
Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose bulimia, the doctor might use various diagnostic tests, including laboratory values (a blood test), to evaluate the severity of illness or the effects bulimia on the body’s organs.
What health problems does bulimia cause?
Specific health risks of bulimia include:
- Cardiac complications (irregular heartbeat and heart failure stemming from electrolyte imbalances)
- Dehydration.
- Edema (stemming from periods of purging cessation)
- Loss of potassium, sodium and chloride from the body.
- Ulcers, pancreatitis.