Bulimia, or bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder. It starts as a psychological problem. Over time, bulimia can cause serious physical medical problems and can even be fatal. People who are bulimic have binge eating episodes. After binge eating, they often use an inappropriate method of managing weight loss called purging. Purging can be done by forceful vomiting. It can also be achieved by fasting, using enemas. Some bulimics use large amounts of laxatives and diuretics. Bulimics often exercise compulsively.

A binge episode is when a bulimic eats a large amount of food than most would eat in one sitting. Bulimics don’t binge out of hunger, they eat to help relieve stress and depression and self-esteem issues. Bulimics can consume up to 20,000 calories at a time. They binge on “comfort foods.” Foods such as ice cream, cakes, sweet foods, high-calorie foods, and pastries. A bulimic can binge from twice a day to several times a day. These episodes usually occur at least twice a week for at least three months.

During a binge episode, they may experience a loss of control. Once the binge is over, the loss of control is usually followed by calm. This is usually short-lived and self-loathing is often experienced. Overeating and purging is a cycle that can soon become an obsession. Purging after binge eating can serve a couple of purposes for bulimics. It can prevent weight gain and can temporarily relieve depression and negative feelings, so the bulimic can feel like they have a sense of control over their lives.

People who are bulimic look perfectly normal. They are mostly of average weight or may be overweight. Women who are bulimic are often high achievers. Bulimics tend to indulge their cravings, but not just with food. They may indulge and act on impulse when it comes to sexual encounters and drug use. They can often make compulsive purchases and shoplift.

Depending on how often a person binges and purges, their overall health can vary. The consequences are usually due to purging. Physical consequences can include swelling of the stomach or pancreas. They can be inflammations in the throat and enlargement of the salivary glands. Bulimics often have tooth decay and gum disease due to frequent vomiting of stomach acid. Frequent vomiting can also deplete potassium and water in your body tissues. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms, paralysis, and muscle spasms. Some of these physical problems can lead to death. Another danger for bulimics is an increased risk of suicidal depression.

There is no known cause for bulimia. Some health professionals believe that it starts with dissatisfaction with your body and concern about your body size and shape. Victims have unhealthy feelings about themselves. Bulimia affects approximately 10% of college-age women in the United States. About 10% of bulimic patients are men. Of all the people who suffer from bulimia, about 10% of them will die from cardiac arrest, starvation, other medical complications, and suicide.