Diabulimia
What is it?
Diabulimia is an eating disorder that occurs when individuals with Type 1 diabetes intentionally omit insulin doses or reduce their insulin intake in order to lose weight. This behavior can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can cause serious health complications such as nerve damage, kidney damage, and blindness.
Signs & symptoms
The main symptom of Diabulimia is weight loss despite high blood sugar levels. Other symptoms may include increased thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, fatigue, and recurrent infections.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Diabulimia is usually made based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests. Individuals with Diabulimia will typically have high blood sugar levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels that are lower than expected based on their reported insulin use.
Treatment
Treatment for Diabulimia involves a combination of medical and psychological interventions. Individuals with Diabulimia may need hospitalization to stabilize their blood sugar levels and restore their insulin intake. Once stabilized, they may require ongoing medical monitoring to ensure that their diabetes is well-controlled. In addition to medical treatment, psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family-based therapy (FBT) may be recommended to address the underlying eating disorder.
☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.
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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:
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