Reviewed by Dr. Clement J. Cheng
A person with bulimia regularly binge eats, and then tries to prevent weight gain by self-induced vomiting, water pills, laxatives, fasting, or extreme exercise.
Bulimia usually starts in early adolescence or young-adult years and is far more common in females. The illness may be constant or it may get better and worse over a period of years. Patients with bulimia alternate periods of binge eating with periods of normal eating and or fasting. In severe cases, there may be periods of binging and fasting with no periods of normal eating. People may suffer from depression following a binge-purge episode. Anorexia and bulimia can cause many serious complications, including hormonal abnormalities, with loss of menstrual cycles, osteoporosis, and imbalances of several minerals; the latter can trigger serious heart rhythm disturbance and even death.
Theories about the origin of eating disorders such as bulimia vary widely, including peer and societal pressure to be thin, fear of sexuality, and family conflicts. Some doctors think that an important hereditary, biological connection exists.
