Eating Disorders

Constipation, extreme bloating, weight gain

03/06/2008 03:27PM

Question:

I have had bulimia for 7 years. I started the recovery process last year. My healing has certainly been in stages. Beginning with getting help, getting rid of the guilt, forgiveness, only accepting healthy realtionships, and finally learning to love myself. As I mentally became stronger, the desire to conrol my weight and my ability to cope with negative emotions has improved, thus my binging/purging has slowly phased out. However, is there anything I can take medically speaking that will improve my digesive tract? Are there any good studies that show the biochemical differences between a normal person`s response to meals versus a recovering bulimic? I found a study, but the results were not yet available.

Answer:

First I want to commend you for your hard work in forcing your body and mind to confront what it becomes programmed to defend: binge eating and purging. There are days that must seem so hard and that the ED has won. It takes determination and motivation to keep at this, as well as a trusted support network to help when there is no energy left to help yourself. ED are unique from other illnesses: many times a person feels worse when they are getting better.

The GI track becomes altered when binge purging occurs over time. The food takes longer to dump into the duodenum. Then the intestines become irregular as the food enters it from all or nothing eating bouts. Exercise, healthy amounts, help the muscles of the intestines activate, so healthy walking and movement can help move the food along and get your intestines stimulated. Regular food intake in healthy portions also stimulates the intestines to helpl them work better. If constipation is severe, please see your PCP. Explain your history of an ED and discuss the option of having medication to help you with constipation. A schedule of phasing down from the medication should be established.

The "meet the expert" at The Center for Balanced Living in Columbus, OH might also be able to help you with this. See www.TheCenterforBalancedLiving.org

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Response by:

Laura Hill, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University