CAIRO – Bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder characterised by frequent episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight, is becoming more common in Egypt. If you suspect that a friend or family member has bulimia, you should talk to the person about your concerns, according to many doctors. “Bulimia is a psychological eating disorder that should never be ignored. Many doctors and psychologists are still doing research into it,” says Samia el-Gendi, a psychiatrist in the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. She explains that binge eating is not because of hunger but is rather a response to many things, include depression, stress, or other feelings related to body weight, shape or food. Binge eating often brings on a feeling of calm or happiness. “People with an eating disorder may have different symptoms. Some have a mix of symptoms,” she told The Egyptian Gazette by telephone. “There are many physical problems associated with eating disorders such as heart problems, kidney problems and brain abnormalities, as well as tooth decay, bad skin condition, stomach upsets and fatigue. All these problems are common. “People who have eating disorders often have other, associated mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, social phobias, post-traumatic stress, etc,” Dr Samia added. About 3 per cent of women, 6 per cent of teenage girls and 5 per cent of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia. About 10 per cent of identified bulimic patients are men, according to recent statistics. “Twenty to 40 per cent of women with bulimia also have drug and/or alcohol problems,” says Dr Magdi Darwish, an internist in the Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University. He adds that bulimia can have a dangerous, even fatal effect on the working of vital internal organs. It can also cause sore throats, tooth decay and bad breath, hair loss, tiredness, excessive vomiting, changes in body weight and shape, heart problems, poor skin condition, going to the bathroom after every meal (to vomit) and broken blood vessels in the eyes. “Patients with bulimia can be treated first by going to a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist, because the successful treatment of bulimia involves both the medical and psychological approaches. The goal of the treatment is to restore physical health and normal eating patterns,” he stresses. “Anyone with bulimia should ask for help from trained eating disorder professionals, in order to regain their health and learn to eat normally again,” says Aya Mohamed, a pharmacist. “Bulimia may be related to relationship issues, often of an emotional nature. We must deal with emotional failure, and feelings of isolation and loneliness which can all cause eating disorders.” Mona Abu Alam, a professor of psychology at Ain Shams University says: “Clinicians must hold weekly sessions in their clinics to help parents to work together with their children to help solve the latter's health problems.” “The family is not to blame for the eating disorder, but is seen as a valuable ally in its treatment.” Nora Mohamed, a student in the Faculty of Pharmacology, Cairo University says: “Anyone who eats foods that are high in calories, carbohydrates and fats is probably going to put on weight. “This makes people feel dissatisfied and then they need to go on a diet. People suffering from bulimia should go to a psychologist or take medicines to help control the amount they eat.”
