Bulimia Nervosa
A serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binge-eating and then compensating for it with behaviors like self-induced vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, and/or excessive exercise.
Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
- Regular intake of large amounts of food, along with feeling helpless to eating behaviors.
- Regular use of inappropriate behaviors to compensate for eating, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise.
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape.
Warning Signs of Bulimia Nervosa
- Evidence of binge-eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or many empty wrappers and containers of food.
- Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, and wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.
- Excessive, rigid exercise regimen – despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury – to burn calories.
- Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area.
- Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
- Discoloration or staining of the teeth.
- Unexplainable lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
- Withdrawal from friends and activities.
- Weight loss, dieting and control of food seem of primary concern.
Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa
- Electrolyte imbalance: caused by dehydration, and loss of potassium and sodium from the body as a result of purging behaviors. Can lead to irregular heartbeats, and possibly heart failure and/or death.
- Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
- Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting.
- Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
- Gastric rupture is an uncommon but possible side effect of binge eating.
About Bulimia Nervosa
- Affects 1-2 percent of adolescent and young adult women.
- Approximately 80 percent of sufferers are female.
- Those struggling are often of average body weight.
- Those struggling recognize the behaviors are unusual and dangerous to their health.
- Frequently associated with symptoms of depression and changes in social adjustment.
Description adapted from the National Eating Disorder Association