Bulimia is an eating disorder. Someone with bulimia might binge on food and then vomit (also called purge) in a cycle of binging and purging. Binge eating refers to quickly eating large amounts of food over short periods of time. Purging involves forced vomiting, laxative use, excessive exercise, or fasting in an attempt to lose weight that might be gained from eating food or binging.
Bulimia, also called bulimia nervosa, is a disorder in the eating disorder spectrum. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (bingeing) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, or excessive exercise. Like anorexia, bulimia is a psychological disorder. It is another condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. The cycle of overeating and purging can quickly become an obsession similar to an addiction to drugs or other substances.
Symptoms of Bulimia
Signs of malnutrition or dehydration may be present including dry skin, changes in the hair and nails, swelling of the lower legs and feet, or loss of sensation in the hands or feet.
Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.
Despite the fear bulimics have of becoming fat, being underweight is not a characteristic warning sign of bulimia. In fact, people with bulimia are usually of normal weight or are even overweight. If a person binges and purges but is dramatically underweight, he or she most likely suffers from the purging type of anorexia, rather than bulimia.
Excessive exercising – Works out strenuously, especially after eating. Typical activities include high-intensity calorie burners such as running or aerobics.
Nonpurging bulimia: You use other methods to rid yourself of calories and prevent weight gain, such as fasting or overexercising, which is sometimes called exercise bulimia.
Causes of Bulimia
Experts agree that cultural factors are very important in the development of eating disorders. Modern society's emphasis on health, in particular thinness, can greatly influence those who seek the acceptance of others.
Families: It is likely that bulimia runs in families. Many people with bulimia have sisters or mothers with bulimia. Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves, or judge their children's bodies are more likely to have a child with bulimia.
Many more women than men have bulimia, and the disorder is most common in adolescent girls. The affected person is usually aware that her eating pattern is abnormal and may experience fear or guilt associated with the binge-purge episodes. Although the behavior is usually secretive, clues to this disorder include overactivity, peculiar eating habits or rituals, and frequent weighing.
Sociocultural: Modern Western culture generally cultivates and reinforces a desire for thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin. Peer pressure may fuel this desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.
In certain neurological or medical conditions, there can be disturbed eating behavior, but the essential psychological feature of bulimia, the extreme concern with body shape and weight, is not present. For example, overeating is a common feature in depression, however, these individuals do not engage in inappropriate weight loss behaviors and do not exhibit the overconcern with body image and weight loss that is characteristic of the bulimic.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm afraid to stop, when i try i gain weight right ...
By: chooseausername | 05-04-2008
I'm afraid to stop, when i try i gain weight right away, what do i do? Diet?
Can you lose weight from being bulimic
By: aleighartificial | 26-03-2008
Can you lose weight from being bulimic or just maintain your weight?
Recovery without IP?
By: OhmGirl | 02-03-2008
Do you believe it is possible to recover from a long-term eating disorder without a formal IOP or IP program?
Helping a friend with an eating disorder
By: sarahs | 24-01-2008
My friend is bulimic. She has been for a couple of years now. She was in a program and got help for what they called "exercise bulimia", but it seemed to be only a temporary solution. She has not gotten better at all from what I can see. I love her and want to help her. What can I do without making the situation worse?
Preventing Eating Disorders in your Kids
By: Chris | 23-12-2007
How can you make sure your soon to be teen daughter doesn't develop an eating disorder? I see her friends and they're all concerned with how they look and how thin they are etc. If you ask me, half of them are already on their way to eating disorders. I don't want my daughter to be obsessed like that.
Top Model - latest season
By: JenniferL | 16-12-2007
Has anyone noticed that despite the some celebrities trying to fight the media's size zero fad, the girls of Tyra Banks' tv show, Top Model look like starving eating disorder patients?
Q&A Powered by:
More from peterhutch
Treatment for Frostbite
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Frostbite occurs when skin and other tissues are exposed to very cold temperatures. It can occur within minutes following exposure to extreme temperatures, or even in above-freezing temperatures if there is a strong wind (wind chill)
Travel to Buckingham Palace
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Destinations
Popularly known as "Buck House", has served as the Monarch`s permanent London residence since the accession of Queen Victoria. It began its days in 1702 as the Duke of Buckingham`s city residence, built on the site of a notorious brothel
Travel to Bahamas
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Destinations
Newcomers to The Islands of The Bahamas quickly realize that they have stumbled upon not one, but many destinations. Between the "poles" of Grand Bahamas and Great Inagua are 23 inhabited islands and thousands of unpopulated islets and cays (pronounced "keys")
Sunburn – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Skin Care
Sunburn is the result of not using proper skin protection while sunbathing or even from routine sun exposure. The skin becomes red, tender and swollen. You may have a stinging sensation and blistering may occur. Some people even get a low grade fever
How to Get Rid of Panic Attacks
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Panic attack is perhaps one of the most frightening experiences a person can go through. During a panic attack, the body reacts in a way similar to a "fight or flight" response.
How to Get Rid of Anxiety Attacks
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are episodes of intense panic or fear. Anxiety attacks usually occur suddenly and without warning. Sometimes there's an obvious trigger - getting stuck in an elevator
Home Remedies for Snoring
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Sleep
Snoring is noisy breathing during sleep that occurs when relaxed structures in the throat vibrate and make noise. Most snoring is harmless, though it can be a nuisance that interferes with the sleep of others
Irritable Bowl Syndrome
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, as cancer
Health 
| Posted: 24-03-2008 | Comments: 
