What is binging and purging? It involves eating larger amounts of food than normal and vomiting shortly afterward to compensate. Binging and purging is often associated with eating disorders such as bulimia. A person who has this type of disorder needs to get binge eating disorder treatment.
With professional help, a person suffering from anorexia or bulimia can overcome their struggles with eating too much or too little food. A treatment center offers a wide range of programs designed for long-term recovery and establishing a healthy diet. So, what is binging and purging? Let’s take a closer look below.
Binging Popular Types of Food
A person who wants to enjoy certain types of food but doesn’t want to feel the guilt of eating the food afterward may binge and then vomit so that they don’t gain the weight. Many of these foods are high in fat, calories, or carbohydrates. Therefore, they are already unhealthy. Instead of abstaining from these foods, a person may binge and then purge.
Popular types of foods may include:
- Pizza
- Popcorn
- Potato chips
- Cake
- Ice cream
- Bread
Other types of foods include chocolate, candy, cookies, doughnuts, or carbonated beverages. When eaten in moderation, these types of foods will not increase body weight. A person who is concerned about their weight and health has trouble not indulging in these foods. Thus, they gorge themselves and then vomit the food so that they don’t feel guilty.
What is Binging and Purging?
Once a person eats a large portion of food, they may decide to purge it from their bodies. There are several ways to do this, including:
Vomiting
The most common way of purging the food from the body is vomiting. This is often associated with eating disorders such as bulimia. Self-induced vomiting usually occurs when a person stimulates a gag reflex or consumes a drink that makes them sick. Repeated vomiting can cause a wide range of health problems.
Diarrhea
Another form of purging is self-induced diarrhea. A person may cause themselves to have diarrhea by taking laxatives. Taking a laxative from time to time will not hurt the body. However, taking laxatives regularly can cause dehydration and deficiencies in nutrition.
Exercising Too Much
While some people are naturally addicted to exercise, others overly engage in fitness to keep their weight down. However, excessive exercise can backfire, as the body needs time to rest and repair. Also, the level of exercise that someone with a disorder engages in requires high levels of nutrients – something that may be lacking from the diet.
Understanding Bulimia
Bulimia is a mental illness that causes severe physical problems over time. Bulimia is the term that refers to the act of binging and purging. Although not all forms of bulimia include binging, almost all forms of binging and purging are associated with bulimia. The disorder often consists of both acts.
Bulimia stems from a person’s obsession with their weight and body image. Unlike anorexia, someone who has bulimia still craves food and will often eat large amounts of it. The problem occurs when they vomit soon afterward. Bulimia can lead to anxiety, depression, heart problems, digestive problems, tooth decay, and damage in the esophagus. A person who has bulimia needs help at an eating disorder treatment center.
Get Help for Binging and Purging Today
What is binging and purging? Find out more at an eating disorder treatment center today. Purging disorder treatment programs are available to help you overcome your problem. To find out more about your options, call a treatment specialist to discuss your condition, and how to get help.
