During the holidays or when celebrating, many of us have overeaten. But some people have problems controlling their appetite and end up eating non-stop until eating is interrupted. Binge eating can be triggered by many things such as stress, depression, loneliness or anger. Food is used as a way of dealing with issues other than hunger.

During a binge, 10,000 to 20,000 calories can be consumed throughout the day. Binges usually consist of foods like cookies, candy, chips, ice cream and many other high calorie foods. Binges are often done in secret. After a binge, many of the feelings that caused the binge, like stress, may have subsided only to be replaced with feelings of guilt and lack of self-control.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is estimated to be present in up to 5 percent of teenage and young adult women. It is characterized by binge eating followed by purging and other behaviors such as vomiting. Laxatives, diet pills, water pills, exercise or fasting may also be used. In order to receive a diagnosis of bulimia, bingeing and purging behaviors must occur twice weekly for three months. Medical complications of bulimia include blood chemistry imbalances, trauma to the gastrointestinal tract and dental cavities from prolonged vomiting.

Women with bulimia often feel deprived and dependent. The patient may experience emotional hunger as physical hunger. Control is very important to people with eating disorders. They may have a fear of expressing their feelings, especially those labeled as "bad" feelings, such as anger.

Binge eating is like bulimia, but does not include purging behaviors. A diagnosis of binge-eating disorder is made when a person binges an average of two days per week over a six month period.

The following guidelines have been developed that may help control binge eating:
* Eat only at established meal times.
* Avoid keeping foods around that may trigger bingeing.
* Avoid fad or very restrictive diets.
* Keep a food diary and log to assess what prompted the binge.

Binge eating can be difficult to control because many people turn to food as a way of dealing with their feelings. Keeping a food diary can be beneficial in identifying specifically what feelings are likely to trigger binge eating as well as what types of foods are consumed during a binge. Strategies can then be employed to reduce the urge to binge when the impulse strikes.

True eating disorders can be life threatening. Binge eating can be a difficult cycle to break. If you find this habit difficult to control, contact your healthcare provider.

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