Sunday 22 November 2009

How Bulimia Harms Teeth



How Bulimia Harms Teeth

Hi there friends, the bulimia not only harm your body. But it will harm your teeth too. when it's purging, stomach acid rushes out of the body along with food. The acid comes in contact with the teeth on its way, wearing away at tooth enamel. As loss of enamel increases, teeth b

ecome sensitive (as the underlying dentin is exposed, and eventually the tooth's nerve itself), decayed (since enamel is a key defense against tooth decay), and unattractive.

Damage is not immediate; it can take two or three years to appear. But when it does, it's easy for dentists to spot. Restoring Damage to Teeth From Bulimia What a dentist does to fix the teeth (after he refers his patient to eating disorder treatment) depends on the severity of the damage. In more moderate cases, the dentist can cover the affected tooth surfaces with a protective layer of resin-based composite. For severe damage, some teeth can be crowned. But in more difficult cases, teeth must be replaced -- either individually, or by construction of complete dentures.

Many dentists will not perform cosmetic work on teeth if a patient is not in recovery from bulimia. Continuing to purge will eventually erode the teeth under crowns and other repairs, potentially forcing a whole new round of repairs (or tooth removal).

Care for Your Teeth in the Face of Bulimia

If you've been neglecting your teeth as you binge and purge, here are some notes on

how you can begin to limit the damage. Get treatment for your eating disorder. Make an ap

pointment with your dentist. Avoid brushing teeth after vomiting. This accelerates the wearing of enamel. Instead of brushing, rinse with water after purging.

Some dentists recommend:

Flouride rinse to add minerals to the enamel and neutralize acids

1,200-1,500 milligrams of calcium per

day

Desensitizing toothpaste for when you do brush

Brushing with a flouridated toothpaste before vomiting for added protection

Avoiding acidic foods and drinks like citrus fruits and coffee


Thank You

By P.Akilla


Confess By Bulimia Victim

Gail's Story

"It was all about getting food and getting rid of it." My freshman year of college I decided I had gained weight. I went on a diet and started taking diet pills. Somehow I figured out if I ate, I could throw up what I'd eat and I wouldn't gain weight. Then it became a binging thing where I would go to the cafeteria five times for breakfast, five times for lunch, and whatever and each time I would throw up, go back, eat, throw up, go back. I managed to go to classes and to socialize and to do what I needed to do. I was probably binging and purging 20, 25 times a day, and no one ever said anything to me.

" We didn't know about bulimia." At one point I went to the doctor. He said, "It's just a phase, it'll go away." My mother and I sort of breathed a sigh of relief. At that time what was happening to me didn't have a name. In my mind, I felt like it's just going to go away. I knew it wasn't normal. I thought it was pretty bizarre and gross and disgusting and shameful, that I couldn't imagine there was anybody else in the world doing what I was doing. If somebody said to me, "Oh my god, how do you stay so thin?" you might as well have taken nails on a chalkboard. I did not want to answer that question.

"So here I am, 38 years old, living my life as a bulimic." I had two very good friends that figured out I was bulimic. One friend of mine had two sisters-in-law that were anorexic and she knew about eating disorders. They had been with me enough times to see me overeat and disappear and they figured it out. They went to my husband and said, "We know Gail is sick, we want to help her." He sat me down one Saturday night after we'd come back from the movies, gave me a letter, and basically said, "I love you, I know you're sick, I know you're throwing up, I understand why you've lied and we'll get you help."

I agreed and I contacted the Redford Center the next day, and we went in for a consultation. For the first time I had to tell somebody I had an eating disorder. I decided to go into outpatient treatment. I was so scared about what people were going to do and say, how they were going to judge me, but their reaction was nothing like I imagined. My friends were wonderful, they were supportive, they would do whatever they needed to help me. I started this program as the oldest person in the group with ten other younger girls, and it was the first time I was ever with anyone else that had an eating disorder.

"My insurance company declared me well, all fixed and better."

I clearly needed more help after only three months, but the program cost $900 a week and my insurance company would no longer cover it. I talked it over with my husband and he said, "Whatever you need, stay with the program, we'll figure out how to pay for it." I spent the next 9 months in this program. I started to understand that I didn't know how to express anger, and I was a caretaker and a perfectionist, and I had low self-esteem and felt that my whole life my value was based on my looks, and I didn't have intelligence, and I had a boyfriend in high school that confirmed that to me every day and told me how stupid I was, and I wouldn't make it in college. I didn't know how to make waves or use my voice or speak for myself and recognize what I needed and I wanted and what was important to ME.

"I was going to be an example. "I went to Washington, D.C., and I started lobbying for mental health parity because my insurance company left me in the dark. My husband and I had to take a second mortgage out on our home, because my entire treatment ended up being in excess of $50,000. I was lucky I had that resource, but I wanted other people to know that treatment for eating disorders can make you well if you can get it.

My goal with lobbying at that point was to tell my story and let people know that at 41 years old I was recovering from an eating disorder that I had for more than half of my life because I had treatment. And despite the fact that my insurance company wouldn't pay for it, and they NEED to pay for it so that people can get well. I was going to be an example of "recovery works if you have treatment." I developed a non-profit, FREED, For Recovery and Elimination of Eating Disorders, and we run fundraisers during the year for people across the country who need help paying for treatment.

I'm healthier now than I have been ever. I feel good about myself, I like myself, I've accepted myself.


Posted By P.Akilla


Symptoms of bulimia

Symptoms of bulimia include :

Repeatedly eating large amounts of food in a short period of time (less than 2 hours). Frequently getting rid of the calories you've eaten (purging) by making yourself vomit, fasting, exercising too much, or misusing laxatives, diuretics, ipecac syrup, or enemas. Misuse of these medicines can lead to serious health problems and even death.

Feeling a loss of control over how much you eat.

Having binge-purge cycles.Feeling ashamed of overeating and very fearful of gaining weight. Basing your self-esteem and value upon your body shape and weight.Any of the above symptoms can be a sign of bulimia or another eating disorder that needs treatment. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, talk to a health professional, friend, or family member about your concerns right away.

Bulimia and other eating disorders can be difficult to diagnose, because people often keep unhealthy thoughts and behaviors secret and may deny that they have a problem. Often, a person won't get evaluation and treatment until someone else notices the signs of bulimia and encourages the person to seek the help that he or she needs.

Other signs that a person may have bulimia.

Common signs that a person may have bulimia are when the person:

Is very secretive about eating and does not eat around other people. Sneaks food or hides food in the house. You may notice that large amounts of food are missing.Has frequent weight changes. For example, the person may gain and lose large amounts of weight in short periods of time.Has irregular menstrual cycles. Seems preoccupied with exercise.

Often talks about dieting, weight, and body shape. Seems to be overusing laxatives and diuretics. Has low levels of potassium or other blood electrolyte imbalances. Looks sick or has symptoms such as Tooth decay or erosion of tooth enamel.Sore gums or mouth sores. Dry skin.Loose skin. Thin or dull hair. Swollen salivary glands. Bloating or fullness. Lack of energy. Teeth marks on the backs of the hands or calluses on the knuckles from self-induced vomiting.

Feels depressed, anxious, or guilty. Shoplifts food, laxatives, or diuretics. Drinks large amounts of alcohol or uses illegal drugs and may have a substance abuse problem. Conditions that commonly occur with bulimia, such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders, can make treatment of bulimia more difficult. Recovery from bulimia can take a long time, and relapse is common. If the person feels extremely discouraged, be sure to tell the doctor immediately so that the person can get immediate help.

In some cases, people who have an eating disorder may feel suicidal. Warning signs of possible suicide in children and teens can include being preoccupied with death or suicide, giving away belongings, withdrawing, being angry, or having failing grades. Warning signs and possible triggers of suicide in adults can include alcohol or substance abuse, depression, giving away belongings, a recent job loss, or divorce. If you or someone you know shows warning signs of suicide, seek help immediately.

Bulimia is different from anorexia. People with anorexia weigh 85% or less of their normal body weight. But most people with bulimia are within their normal weight range. Some people who have anorexia make themselves vomit, but this is a different eating disorder. For more information, see the topic Anorexia Nervosa.


by P.Akilla

Friday 6 November 2009

why do people become bulimia?

There is no easy answer to this question. Just as the life of every individual is unique, so are the reasons why they become bulimic and the paths they must take to overcome it.
Bulimia is generally considered to be a psychological and emotional disorder, which sometimes coexists with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder.
Some studies show that bulimia is related to major affective disorder, (Johnson, 1987) and therefore influenced by heredity and chemical imbalances in the body. In some cases, therefore, medication can alleviate the binge-purge behavior or the blanket of depression, making psychotherapy and other avenues for recovery more effective. Other studies have linked lowered brain serotonin function to bulimia (Kaye, 1999).
However, the underlying reasons most people give for their eating disorder are a complex mix of low self-esteem, childhood conflicts, and cultural pressures.
In general, people become addicted to substances and behaviors to avoid painful feelings—past as well as present. Some of these feelings have their origins in childhood, such as feeling unloved and unlovable, ashamed, afraid, or incompetent. Others come from the pressure to conform or to be accepted by peers. Most devastating of all are the feelings associated with low selfesteem—that we have no worth, that our lives have no value or purpose, and that we will never be fulfilled or happy.
Paradoxically, an eating disorder in the early stages can raise self-esteem when it provides someone with a sense of success— in this case by achieving the cultural ideal of thinness. Indeed, many individuals turn to purging when they have failed at a diet and fear that there is no other way for them to lose weight.
However, once the bingeing and purging cycle begins, the resulting metabolic imbalances and habitual escape become an ever-deepening pit, eventually eroding any initial sense of self-worth and control.
The question remains as to why bulimia is the chosen escape, and there appear to be similarities in the backgrounds, personalities and experiences of eating disordered individuals which will help clarify this. All of these characteristics will not apply to everyone, but certainly some will.
Most bulimics come from families in which the emotional, physical, or spiritual needs of family members are not met in some way. In some of these households, feelings are not verbally expressed and communication skills are lacking. There may be a history of depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, or eating disorders; and, the child might unconsciously recognize that escape is an appropriate thing to do. In this context, food becomes a “good” drug, something which does not have the negative connotations of alcohol or drug abuse.
Bulimics are often considered “ideal” children, and will go out of their way to be “people pleasers.” They present an acceptable facade—seeming outgoing, confident, and independent— while anxious feelings bubble underneath. They may be valued for not needing to be nurtured, for taking care of themselves, and for growing up early.
Sometimes, people use bulimia to postpone growing up. The child who has looked to others for validation and feelings of selfworth and who has assumed a “perfect little girl” role because it works at home may experience tremendous fear at having to trust herself and face the outside world alone. This insecurity is sometimes unconsciously reinforced by parents who also do not want to let go.
Often parents and children fall into roles that limit the relationships and personal growth within the family. Mothers may reinforce the idea that it is important for women to be thin. Fathers may be relegated to the role of economic provider and disciplinarian rather than taking part in a son’s or daughter’s emotional life. Girls, in particular, can develop insecurities about their appearance, competence, and ability to be loved if they are not valued for their own unique strengths.
In a society where roles for women are changing, strong relationships with parents of both sexes based on the child’s uniqueness will give him or her the confidence and ability to make smart decisions and negotiate healthy relationships in the future.
Bulimics tend to be overly judgmental of themselves and others, have difficulty expressing emotions through language, fear criticism, avoid disagreements, and have low self-esteem—all traits which make having relationships with others difficult. Many had been sexually or emotionally abused as children and had difficulty trusting others. The bulimic rituals and thoughts protected them from what might be rejection, abandonment, or other potential pain. The bulimia had become the only relationship, albeit an empty one, which also prevented them from experiencing deep love—described on one woman’s survey as “The Great Filler.”
The bulimics from our survey identified various causes for their disorder. Many remembered specific reasons for their initial binges, as well as how the behavior subsequently served them. Few women thought it would become addictive. In addition to the original causes which still existed, they were faced with guilt, secrecy, physical side-effects, and an increasing number of reasons to want to escape.
Frequently mentioned were boredom, the influences of media and culture, family dynamics, mental “numbness,” the irresistible taste of food, pressure to lose weight, the “high” experienced after purging, overwhelming bouts of anxiety, the release of physical and sexual tension.
Most bulimics have been preoccupied with eating and diet for years, but the initial binge-purge episodes might be triggered by specific events, such as traumatic change as a graduation, moving away from home, marriage, death of a loved one, unresolved grief, career changes, a failed diet, and rejection by a lover or wished-for lover.
No matter what the underlying reasons, bulimia “works” on many different levels. Binge-eating provides instant relief. It replaces all other actions, thoughts, and emotions. The mind ceases to dwell on anything but food and how to get it down. Feelings are on hold. Even vomiting can be pleasurable when it is the most intimate contact we allow with our own bodies. When the whole binge-purge episode is over, for a brief moment, the bulimic regains control. No longer feeling guilty for having eaten so many calories, she is drained, relaxed, and high.
Since bulimia is falsely perceived as less dangerous than alcoholism or drug abuse, it is especially insidious and captivating. Food is always available for a “fix,” and eating in public, even if on the run, is accepted and not unusual. Also, nothing gives a bulimic away, because her weight usually appears close to normal. Food gives life, heals, nurtures, and means love. The safety, relief, availability, pleasure, and companionship represented by food appear to outweigh any immediate drawbacks. Bulimia becomes a short-term solution for pain, which in the long term can be devastating. Remember, an eating disorder is not just about food.
written by :
NOORLIZA BINTI RAMLI (G76191)

Thursday 5 November 2009

WHAT CAN DO HELP THEM?

If someone close to you has bulimia, you can face it together in many different ways, but remember that they are the one with the problem. Loved ones can research treatment options, read appropriate books, attend lectures, talk to experts, and lend a supportive ear, but only the bulimic herself can do the works.

Bulimia is a protective device used to handle pain. If it was easy to give up, the person would have so already. Someone who uses food as a coping mechanism needs understanding and compassion. The reality of bulimia may shock or disgust you, but separate the individual from her binge-purge behaviour. She deserves love and appreciation for who she is apart from the bulimia, and compassion for the pain that has driven her to it. If a loved-one became disabled or ill, you would still be there for them-bulimia is disabling and life-threatening.

Parents of bulimics especially need to be aware of their limitations in helping their children. Often, the relationship is too close objective evaluation. Let your daughter open up to you with her feelings, and if she does not make progress with your support within a short time, encourage professional therapy. It may also be appropriate for parents to seek out professional advice or a support group for help with their own feelings of frustration and helplessness.
Parents usually play a part in the development of their child’s behaviour, and in many instances, may have to face issues and make adjustments of their own. This is not to say than they are the cause of the eating disorder, but rather that they may have contributed to it in some way and need to acknowledge that. Parents may need to reevaluate their values, ways of communicating, family rules about food, ways of handling feelings, parenting roles, and the family’s decision-making process. Guilt, anger, frustration, denial, and cynicism are all likely sentiments.
As hard as this all sounds, family therapy has proved to be one of the most successful methods of overcoming eating disorders. With better communication, increased self-knowledge and mutual acceptance of what has happened in the past, parents and children can focus on the important task of recovery in the present.

Psychoterapy

Psychotherapy is a cornerstone of bulimia treatment. Individual, family or group therapy may be very beneficial in dealing with bulimia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps the individual address the negative ideas surrounding food, body-image and self-esteem, while providing constructive ways of implementing new food habits. Family therapy may help the entire family deal with underlying conflicts and provide coping techniques for the family as a whole, while support groups provide a source of support and comfort. Individual therapy addresses underlying personal issues such as self-esteem and guilt associated with food. On the whole, psychotherapy is very successful in treating bulimia, and it is advised that you research which type or types of therapy would best suit you

Drug Treatments
Medication may be prescribed to bulimic patients to help improve related symptoms such as accompanying depression, anxiety or obsessive behavior. Commonly prescribed drugs include antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and the antipsychotic drug lithium. While these drugs may help initially, up to 80% of patients relapse after the medication is discontinued, and in many cases, the side-effects are distressing.It is strongly advised that you research any prescription medication and their side-effects before agreeing to drug therapy.
Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for BulimiaEating disorder treatment options available, natural remedies can be of great benefit in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with bulimia, without the negative side effects of prescription medications. Some herbal formulas that assist with the related symptoms of bulimia include Passiflora Incarnata, which soothes the mind and calms the nerves. Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) has been very successful in treating the depression, which often accompanies an eating disorder.Natural remedies such as MindSoothe may facilitate a reasonable attitude and lessen the burden on pressured minds. MindSoothe may also promote a well-adjusted outlook and positive temperament, support healthy sleep patterns, and routine appetite.
Written by :
SITI HAJAR BINTI ITHNIN (G76232)

My Profile

Aiiii....my name is siti hajar,just call me hajar...I’m 28 years old, I already married 3 years but I don’t have any child. I’m simple person but sometime very sensitive and emotional especially about children, may be until now I don’t have baby

When free time i like go to shopping, reading, cooking and watching television. My favourite book is decorating home, cause my dream was to deco my house like a modern style. Otherwise i enjoy reading and watching mystery story.

Haaaa....know i tell about my husband, he was a funny person because he work at Tampoi Hospital,ooopss...it is a joke, actually he work general Hospital. He like anything about sport especially football, rally and F1.
Ok.... actually not specially about me, but i hope my dream come true have a cute baby and finish my study.bye bye.....
Written By:
SITI HAJAR BINTI ITHIN ( G76232)

Wednesday 4 November 2009

How To Overcome Bulimia

There are a number of binge eating disorder treatment options available to help in the struggle against bulimia. Some form of psychotherapy is usually necessary, as bulimia is essentially a psychological disorder, wrapped in emotions and personal conflicts that need to be dealt with. Pharmaceutical medications are also commonly prescribed in order to help treat accompanying problems such as depression.

Psychotherapy

Individual, family or group therapy may be very beneficial in dealing with bulimia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps the individual address the negative ideas surrounding food, body-image and self-esteem, while providing constructive ways of implementing new food habits. Family therapy may help the entire family deal with underlying conflicts and provide coping techniques for the family as a whole, while support groups provide a source of support and comfort. Individual therapy addresses underlying personal issues such as self-esteem and guilt associated with food. On the whole, psychotherapy is very successful in treating bulimia, and it is advised that you research which type or types of therapy would best suit you.

Drug Treatments

Medication may be prescribed to bulimic patients to help improve related symptoms such as accompanying depression, anxiety or obsessive behavior. Commonly prescribed drugs include antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and the antipsychotic drug lithium. While these drugs may help initially, up to 80% of patients relapse after the medication is discontinued, and in many cases, the side-effects are distressing.
It is strongly advised that you research any prescription medication and their side-effects before agreeing to drug therapy.

Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for Bulimia

Eating disorder treatment options available, natural remedies can be of great benefit in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with bulimia, without the negative side effects of prescription medications. Some herbal formulas that assist with the related symptoms of bulimia include Passiflora Incarnata, which soothes the mind and calms the nerves. Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) has been very successful in treating the depression, which often accompanies an eating disorder.

Natural remedies such as MindSoothe may facilitate a reasonable attitude and lessen the burden on pressured minds. MindSoothe may also promote a well-adjusted outlook and positive temperament, support healthy sleep patterns, and routine appetite.


By P.AKILLA