Bulimia Nervosa Disease Process, Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

Bulimia Nervosa Case Analysis
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Bulimia Nervosa Case Analysis
1 Pathology
1 Disease Process
Bulimia nervosa, or simply called bulimia is a serious eating disorder that can become life threatening if not handled early enough. The illness is characterized by binging, which involves eating large amounts of food, and then purging, which entails attempts to get rid of the extra calories resulting from the uncontrolled eating (John Hopkins Medicine, 2021). Individuals suffering from the disease utilize different approaches to eliminate the calories and prevent weight gain. For example, some may induce vomiting, others may utilize weight-loss supplements, and others may use diuretics or enemas. In the case provided, the patient exhibits binge eating by consuming several chocolate bars and then inducing vomiting. She has been exhibiting this behavior for a significant period and now she is engaged. She desires to be treated from the condition and hence the need for analysis and recommendation for appropriate intervention. The nursing process will include a physical observation for any signs and symptoms, a psychological assessment to confirm the signs, and finally an educational diagnosis to link the signs to the underlying causes that will culminate into the recommendation for proper intervention.
2 Etiology of the Disease Process
The disease affects approximately 1.6% of the adolescents, with the affected people being extremely sensitive about their body shape and weight. These people apply different approaches in an attempt to lose their weight. The illness begins in late childhood or early adulthood. The exact cause of the disease has not been identified. However, according to research, there could be a mixture of personality traits, emotions, and thinking patterns combined with environmental and biological factors (Bhandari, 2020). Researchers posit that the behavior may begin with dissatisfaction of one’s body in terms of its size and shape. This dissatisfaction results in low self-esteem and fear. Other potential risk factors to the condition include depression and anxiety, substance use, traumatic events, stress, and frequent dieting.
3 Signs and Symptoms
Different people present different signs and symptoms of the disease. However, there are some common signs that tend to be exhibited by many people. Some of these include dental problems, sore throat, swollen glands on the neck and face, heartburn, indigestion, bloating, irregular periods, and exhaustion (The Kusnacht Practice, 2021). In addition, one can also exhibit calluses at the knuckles or back of the hand, some people gain and lose weight more often, cases of dizziness, feeling cold most of the time, dry skin and brittle nails. Behavioral problems associated with the condition include uncontrollable eating accompanied by purging, hoarding, food rituals, skipping meals, feeling out of control.
2 Medication
4 First Line Treatment
People suffering from the condition may require several types of treatment. However, combining psychotherapy with the use of antidepressants as the first line treatment may be the most effective approach in the management of the ...