Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and feeling a lack of control over the eating. This is followed by a type of behavior that compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting and/or excessive exercise.

1.1 to 4.2 percent of girls and women will develop bulimia nervosa.

• chronically inflamed and sore throat
• swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw
• worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids
• gastro esophageal reflux disorder
• intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
• kidney problems from diuretic abuse
• severe dehydration from purging of fluids

• concern about body weight and shape
• intense dissatisfaction with their bodies

There are two sub-types of bulimia nervosa:

• Purging Type bulimics self-induce vomiting (usually by triggering the gag reflex or ingesting emetics such as syrup of ipecac) to rapidly remove food from the body before it can be digested, such as laxatives, diuretics and enemas.
• Non-purging Type bulimics (approximately 6%-8% of cases) exercise or fast excessively after a binge to offset the caloric intake after eating. Purging-type bulimics may also exercise or fast, but as a secondary form of weight control.

Psychological and medicinal treatments are effective for many eating disorders. Counseling that has been tailored to treat bulimia also has shown to be effective in changing binging and purging behavior and eating attitudes. Therapy may be individually oriented or group-based. Eating disorder specialists believe that the chance for recovery increases the earlier bulimia nervosa is detected.