What is bulimia?

Eating Disorder: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder involving periods of overeating followed by purging, sometimes through self-induced vomiting or using laxatives.

Bulimia: Bulimia is an eating disorder. In it, a person eats large amounts of food and then forces herself/himself to vomit it back up. This may happen many times a day, enough to cause dehydration, loss of body electrolytes, heart rhythm disturbances, destruction of tooth enamel, etc. There may also be purging with laxatives and diuretics. It's a dangerous illness and needs help.

Bingeing, purging: Bulimia symptoms include eating large amounts of food in a short time (bingeing) and then compensating by purging either by vomiting, using laxatives, over-exercising or restricting. People with bulimia also are preoccupied with their weight and feel a tremendous amount of shame for their behavior, which is often secretive. The good news is that there is help and you can recover from bulimia.