Diabulimia – a mysterious disease hidden in the shadow of diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that requires constant care and attention to proper treatment. However, not everyone realizes that there is another dangerous aspect associated with this disease – diabulimia. In this article we will learn what diabulimia is, what its symptoms and consequences are, and what are the methods of its treatment.

Diabulimia – what is it and what are its symptoms?

Diabulimia is an informal term used to refer to people with type 1 diabetes who deliberately limit or avoid taking insulin in order to lose weight. This is a type of eating disorder that can lead to serious health problems.

Symptoms of diabulimia may include:

• Systematically skipping insulin doses, which leads to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels).
• Incomprehensible weight fluctuations, often associated with significant weight loss.
• Increased thirst and frequent urination.
• Weakness, fatigue and general loss of energy.
• Deterioration of the condition of skin, hair and nails.

Diabulimia – who does it most often affect?

Diabulimia mainly affects people with type 1 diabetes, especially young women. Statistics show that women between the ages of 15 and 30 are most at risk for this type of eating disorder. However, diabulimia can occur in anyone with type 1 diabetes, regardless of age or gender.

Diabulimia – stage and consequences

Diabulimia is not just a weight loss problem. It is also a serious threat to health and life. People suffering from diabulimia often go through the following stages:

1. Initial reluctance to take insulin for weight control.
2. Gradual deterioration of blood sugar control.
3. Development of serious complications of diabetes, such as nephropathy, retinopathy or neuropathy.
4. Increased risk of hospitalization due to hypoglycemia or other complications.

Treatment of diabulimia

In the treatment of diabulimia, the support of a psychotherapist and a team of diabetes specialists plays a key role. A therapist can help a person with diabulimia understand the causes of their behavior and work on changing their habits. Additionally, it is necessary to establish stable blood sugar control and educate the patient about the consequences of skipping insulin doses.

Your suggestions

If you suspect that you or someone you know has diabulimia, consult your doctor immediately. The support of family and close people is extremely important in the treatment process.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about diabetes, its treatment and management, we recommend you read the following articles:

• “Type 1 diabetes – how to take care of yourself and control your blood sugar level”
• “The importance of regular physical activity in diabetes”
• “The impact of a healthy diet on diabetes control”

Diabulimia is a serious threat to people with type 1 diabetes. However, with appropriate medical and psychotherapeutic care and support from family and loved ones, it is possible to fight this eating disorder and improve the patient’s quality of life.