Bulimia
eating disorder that is characterized by a cycle of bulimia (binge eating) followed by inappropriate acts such as purging to avert weight gain
Bulimia nervosa (BN), also known simply as bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating (eating large quantities of food in a short period of time, often feeling out of control) followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or fasting, to prevent weight gain.
Bulimia is more common among those who have a close relative with the condition. The percentage risk that is estimated to be due to genetics is between 30% and 80%. Other risk factors for the disease include psychological stress, cultural pressure to attain a certain body type, poor self-esteem, and obesity. Living in a culture that commercializes or glamorizes dieting, and having parental figures who fixate on weight are also risks.
Diagnosis is based on a person's medical history; however, this is difficult, as people are usually secretive about their binge eating and purging habits. Further, the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa takes precedence over that of bulimia. Other similar disorders include binge eating disorder, Kleine–Levin syndrome, and borderline personality disorder.
Signs and symptoms
Bulimia typically involves rapid and out-of-control eating, which is followed by self-induced vomiting or other forms of purging. This cycle may be repeated several times a week or, in more serious cases, several times a day and may directly cause:
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalance can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, and even death
Oral trauma, lacerations to the lining of the mouth or throat due to forced throwing up movements.
The public source identifies “Bulimia” as eating disorder that is characterized by a cycle of bulimia (binge eating) followed by inappropriate acts such as purging to avert weight gain. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Bulimia, eating and disorder.
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This entry incorporates text from “Bulimia” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.