Bulimia nervosa

People with bulimia often eat large amounts of food in a limited period of time.

A binge eating episode usually continues until they become painfully full. During a binge, they may feel that they cannot stop eating or control how much they are eating.

Binges can happen with any type of food but most commonly occur with foods the individual would usually avoid. People with bulimia then attempt to purge to compensate for the calories consumed and to relieve gut discomfort.

Common purging behaviors include:

• forced vomiting
• fasting
• using laxatives
• using diuretics
• using enemas
• excessive exercise

Symptoms may appear very similar to those of the binge eating or purging subtypes of anorexia nervosa.

Side effects of bulimia may include:

• an inflamed and sore throat
• swollen salivary glands
• worn tooth enamel
• tooth decay
• acid reflux
• gut irritation
• dehydration

In severe cases, bulimia can also create an imbalance in levels of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This can cause a stroke or heart attack.