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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Bulimia is a type of eating disorder. People with bulimia will eat a larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation, in a short time (binge). Then they do something to prevent weight gain. They may vomit or use medicines like laxatives to get rid of food (purge). Or they may exercise too much or go without food (fast). This becomes a cycle. People who have bulimia judge themselves harshly on their body weight and shape. During a binge, they feel out of control and feel unable to stop eating. After binge eating, they feel very afraid of gaining weight. This fear causes them to do things like purge, exercise too much, or fast in hopes of "undoing" any possible weight gain from the binge. Without treatment, bulimia can lead to serious, long-term health problems. Experts don't know what causes eating disorders such as bulimia. But they may be caused by a mix of family history, social factors, and personality traits. Some things may make you more likely to have bulimia, such as a family history of eating disorders, dieting often, or having a poor body image. People with bulimia binge eat on a regular basis. During a binge, they feel out of control and unable to stop eating. To avoid weight gain, they may make themselves vomit, exercise very hard, misuse laxatives or other medicines, or fast. They base how they feel about themselves on how much they weigh. Your doctor will ask you questions to see if you have the main symptoms of bulimia. If your doctor thinks that you may have bulimia, they will check you for problems caused by this condition, like poor nutrition or electrolyte imbalances. The doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history. Bulimia can be treated with counseling and sometimes medicines, such as antidepressants. Getting treatment early can make recovery easier. And it can prevent serious health problems. If you think your child has an eating disorder: If you're worried about someone you know: Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Experts don't know for sure what causes someone to have an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. But certain things put a person at greater risk for getting an eating disorder. Some of these things include: Having risk factors for it doesn't mean a person will get an eating disorder. But knowing some of the things that can add to the risk may help to see a problem early when it is easier to treat. There is no known way to prevent an eating disorder. But knowing the early signs and seeking treatment right away can help prevent problems caused by an eating disorder. Early treatment may be the best way to prevent it from getting worse. People with bulimia: Any one of these can be a sign of an eating disorder that needs treatment. If you are concerned that someone you know has bulimia, look for these signs. A person may have bulimia if they: People who have bulimia can be any weight. They may binge in secret and deny that they are doing anything to avoid weight gain, like purging. This makes it hard for others to know that a person with bulimia has a serious problem. People who have bulimia will eat a large amount of food in a short period of time (binge). Then they do something to avoid weight gain. They may vomit, exercise too much, use medicines like laxatives, or go without food (fast). This starts a cycle that can lead to serious, long-term health problems. Health problems caused by bulimia include tooth and mouth problems and dehydration. They also include weakness, fainting, and damage to the esophagus. Mental health conditions may also occur along with bulimia. Sometimes bulimia can cause death. After bulimia becomes a pattern, it is very hard to return to healthier eating habits without help. But bulimia can be treated. And many people who seek treatment get better. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if: Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can: Consider saving these numbers in your phone. Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online. Call your doctor now if you have been diagnosed with bulimia and now: Call your doctor to discuss bulimia if you: Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. It's not a good choice if you think you or someone you know may have an eating disorder. Call a doctor or an eating disorder hotline to discuss your concerns and learn what you can do to help. There is no single test that can diagnose bulimia. But this condition may have a visible effect on your health and eating habits. Your doctor will ask you questions about your eating habits. This is to see if you have the main symptoms of bulimia. If your doctor thinks that you may have bulimia, they will check you for problems caused by this condition, such as poor nutrition or electrolyte imbalances. The doctor will do a physical exam. They may ask questions about your medical history, including your physical and emotional health. Often other mental health conditions occur along with bulimia. These may include depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. You may have blood tests or X-rays to check for signs of poor nutrition. Bulimia can be treated with counseling and sometimes medicines. If a person has another health condition along with bulimia, more treatment may be needed. (For example, with depression an antidepressant may be used.) And it may take longer to get better. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are types of counseling used to treat bulimia. In CBT, you learn how to change negative thoughts that you may have about food, your weight, and your body. You learn to change negative beliefs about yourself. In IPT, you learn how relationships can affect the binge-eating cycle. These are long-term treatments. It may take weeks or months before you notice changes. You may need treatment with counseling and maybe medicines for more than a year. But getting treatment early can prevent serious health problems. And learning how to manage stress while you recover can make recovery easier. Here are some things you can do to take care of yourself during recovery from an eating disorder. Current as of: July 31, 2024 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Current as of: July 31, 2024 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com. © 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.Bulimia Nervosa
Condition Basics
What is bulimia?
What causes it?
What are the symptoms?
How is it diagnosed?
How is bulimia treated?
What should you do if you think someone has an eating disorder?
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All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.