Bulimia in Athletes

Introduction:

Bulimia is an eating disorder seen in many professional athletes mainly. People with bulimia frequently binge and purge. Forced vomiting is termed as purging. Some people who possess bulimia might compensate for binging in other ways, like too much exercise or by incorporating laxatives or diet pills. Athletes face excessive pressure to excel; many feel pressure to achieve a particular body shape or weight they want or see in fitness magazines. Athletes who compete in sports that focus on appearance, agility, or speed (gymnastics, running, wrestling, figure skating, dance, or horse racing) are often more susceptible to developing an eating disorder than are non-athletes or athletes in sports that need muscle mass and bulk (football, powerlifting, skiing).

When an athlete goes to unhealthy extremes to attain a particular and unnatural body shape and weight, they are at risk of developing both physical and psychological health issues, including eating disorders. Bulimia is a kind of disorder of eating that is descriptive of the binging and purging cycle. It is observed when the restrictive diet does not work, or the feeling of hunger linked with lower calorie intake results in binge eating.

What Are the Health Complications of Bulimia?

The health complications of bulimia are:

• Laceration of the oral cavity (injury because of self-induced vomiting).

• Inflammation of the food pipe (acid due to vomiting irritates the esophagus).

• Esophageal tears and ruptures (force from vomiting may cause the tears in the esophagus).

• Dental erosion (acid from vomiting erodes the dental enamel).

• Malnutrition.

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias and bradycardia)

• Low Blood Pressure.

• Dehydration.

• Electrolyte Imbalances.

• Amenorrhea (interruption of the menstrual cycle).

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia In Athletes?

Although it is hard to identify, there are a few signs and symptoms of bulimia noted in athletes.

Physical and medical symptoms are:

• Callus on the back of the hand caused due to induced vomiting.

• Dehydration.

• Dental problems.

• Edema.

• Electrolyte abnormalities.

• Frequent weight fluctuations.

• Gastrointestinal problems.

• Low weight despite eating large volumes of food.

• Menstrual irregularity.

• Muscle cramps.

• Weakness.

• Swelling is seen in parotid glands.

What Are the Psychological and Behavioral Symptoms of Bulimia?

The psychological and behavioral symptoms of bulimia which are noted frequently are:

• Binge eating.

• Agitation if bingeing is interrupted.

• Depression.

• Dieting that is unnecessary for health or sports performance.

• Evidence of vomiting unrelated to illness.

• Excessive exercise beyond what is needed for sport.

• Excessive use of the bathroom.

• Going to the bathroom directly after eating.

• History of sexual abuse.

• Self-critical, especially concerning the body.

• Secretive eating; stealing, especially food or laxatives.

• Substance abuse.

• Use of laxatives or diuretics.

• As mentioned, it is typically the norm for athletes to participate in rigorous training sessions as part of their sport.

However, even in competitive athletes, there are signs and symptoms of unbalanced or unhealthy exercise:

• Exercise is the individual’s primary means of coping.

• Exercise despite injury.

• Withdrawal effects (when sleep and appetite get disturbed, negative shifts in mood, decreased concentration, and more) when exercise is withheld.

• Overuse injuries.

• Stress fractures.

• Menstrual irregularity.

• Loss of bone density.

• Decreased immunity.

• Frequent colds or upper respiratory tract infections.

• Rigidity of exercise schedule.

• Decrease in sports performance; overtraining syndrome.

How to Help an Athlete with Bulimia?

Early identification and intervention result in very low and less severe complications, less resistance to treatment, and faster, easier, and more positive treatment benefits. Here are steps one can take to help an athlete with bulimia:

• Prepare, gather resources, and get them available when an athlete is approached. Any information about bulimia and athletes or where to go for help might help the athlete identify that they are struggling with bulimia. Also, in case they have some knowledge of their struggles, they are provided with resources they might not know were available to them.

• Find a good time for talking with the athlete. Speak to them personally and allow adequate time to talk openly and honestly. Ask about how the athlete feels, both physically and psychologically. Communicate to them about their concern towards them. Calmly tell the athlete the particular observations noticed in them and about the cause of concern. They should focus on eating or exercise behaviors that are noticed or other problems (e.g., withdrawing or isolating from others).

• Listen to the athletes carefully and allow them the time to respond to their concerns. Listen to them in a non-judgmental and open way. Listening is a crucial thing in this process. Face the athlete; maintain eye contact and an open posture.

• Respond if the athlete refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem or any reason to be concerned, restate the feelings and the reasons for them, and be open and available as a supportive listener. If the athlete finds a problem, summarize what is heard and explain what these things might indicate that there could be a problem that requires professional attention. Ask the athlete about these concerns with a counselor, doctor, nutritionist, or another health professional knowledgeable about eating disorders. If doing so is comfortable, offer to help the athlete make an appointment or accompany them on their initial visit.

• Get help after talking with the person, if still concerned with their health and safety, find a trusted adult or professional to talk with (e.g., an eating disorder specialist, doctor, school counselor, nurse, coach, or minister). Problems that are particularly troubling and warrant seeking medical attention immediately are: if the athlete is binging and purging several times throughout the day, passes out complains of chest pains, complains of severe stomachaches or vomiting blood, or has thoughts of harming themselves or suicide.

Conclusion:

Bilumina is a kind of eating disorder developed in athletes. As athletes are more concerned about their body shape and height they need to be careful about their dietary intake too. People with bulimia frequently binge and purge. Forced vomiting is called purging, some people who have bulimia might compensate for binging in some other ways, like too much exercise or by making use of laxatives or diet pills. The health complications seen in people suffering from Bulimia are diarrhea, amenorrhea, malnutrition, body imbalance, etc. They must be helped by listening to them properly, guiding them, and assisting them in getting proper food or consulting a dietician, doctor, nurse, etc.