Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially lifethreatening eating disorder characterized by
recurrent and frequent episodes of eating
unusually large amounts of food (also known as
binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over
the eating.
This binge-eating 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.
Unlike anorexia, people struggling with bulimia
usually appear to be of average body weight.
However, like people with anorexia, they often
fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose
weight and are intensely unhappy with their
body size and shape.
Bulimic behavior is usually done secretly; it is
often accompanied by feelings of disgust or
shame. The binging and purging cycle usually
repeats several times a week. People with
bulimia often have multiple psychological and
behavioral health issues, such as depression
and/or anxiety. Many physical conditions
result from the purging aspect of the illness,
including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal
problems, and oral and tooth-related problems.
Symptoms
•Frequent episodes of consuming very large
amount of food followed by behaviors to
prevent weight gain, such as self-induced
vomiting.
•A feeling of being out of control during the
binge-eating episodes.
•Self-esteem overly related to body image.
•Abuse of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills.
•Compulsive exercise.
•Swollen salivary glands.
•Broken blood vessels in the eyes.
Warning signs
• Evidence of binge eating, including
disappearance of large amounts of food in
short periods of time or finding wrappers and
containers indicating the consumption of large
amounts of food.
• Evidence of purging behaviors, including
frequent trips to the bathroom after meals,
signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of
wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.
• Excessive, rigid exercise regimen--despite
weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, the
compulsive need to “burn off” calories taken
in.
• Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area.
• Calluses on the back of the hands and
knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
• Discoloration or staining of the teeth.
• Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to
make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
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• Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
Resources
• In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating
that weight loss, dieting, and control of food
are becoming primary concerns.
Health consequences bulimia nervosa
UK Adolescent Behavioral Health
UK Good Samaritan Hospital (Inpatient care)
310 S. Limestone
Lexington
800-776-2673 (toll free) or 859-226-7060
Fax: 859-226-7064
ukhealthcare.uky.edu/behavioral-health/
Bulimia nervosa can be extremely harmful to the
body. The recurrent binge-and-purge cycles can
damage the entire digestive system and purging
behaviors can lead to electrolyte and chemical
imbalances in the body that affect the heart and
other major organ functions. Some of the health
consequences of bulimia nervosa include:
UK Adolescent Medicine
Kentucky Clinic (Outpatient care)
Fourth floor, Wing D
740 S. Limestone
Lexington
859-323-5643
ukhealthcare.uky.edu/adolescent-medicine/
• Continued exercise despite injury; overuse
injuries.
•Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to
irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure
and death. Electrolyte imbalance is caused by
dehydration and loss of potassium and sodium
from the body as a result of purging behaviors.
•Inflammation and possible rupture of the
esophagus from frequent vomiting.
•Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids
released during frequent vomiting.
•Chronic irregular bowel movements and
constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
•Gastric rupture is an uncommon but possible
side effect of binge eating.
Additional resources:
National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7C-02
Rockville, MD
301-443-4513
www.nimh.nih.gov
National Eating Disorders Association
165 West 46th Street
Suite 402
New York
800-931-2237
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Actions you can take
If you are concerned about the behavior of a loved
one and think they need to be hospitalized, adult
or adolescent, call 859-226-7063 for adults and
800-776-COPE (2673) for adolescents.
UK HealthCare can offer you and your loved one
the care and support needed to fight this disease.
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