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Bulimia is one of the most common eating disorders. If you want information on other eating disorders, see the topics Anorexia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder.

What is bulimia nervosa?

Bulimia (say "boo-LEE-mee-uh") is a type of eating disorder. People with bulimia will eat a large amount of food in a short time (binge). Then they will do something to get rid of the food (purge). They may vomit, exercise too much, or use medicines like laxatives.

People who have bulimia may binge because food gives them a feeling of comfort. But eating too much makes them feel out of control. After they binge, they feel ashamed, guilty, and afraid of gaining weight. This causes them to purge.

Without treatment, this "binge and purge" cycle can lead to serious, long-term health problems. Acid in the mouth from vomiting can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of tooth enamel. Any type of purging can lead to bone thinning (osteoporosis), kidney damage, heart problems, or even death.

If you or someone you know has bulimia or another eating disorder, get help. Eating disorders can be dangerous, and willpower alone is not enough to overcome them. Treatment can help a person with an eating disorder feel better and be healthier.

What causes bulimia?

All eating disorders are complex problems, and experts do not really know what causes them. But they may be caused by a mix of family history, social factors, and personality traits. You may be more likely to have bulimia if:

• Other people in your family are obese, have an eating disorder, or have a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety.
• You have a job or do a sport that stresses body size, such as ballet, modeling, or gymnastics.
• You are the type of person who tries to be perfect all the time, never feels good enough, or worries a lot.
• You are dealing with stressful life events, such as divorce, moving to a new town or school, or losing a loved one.

Bulimia is most common in:

• Teens. Like other eating disorders, bulimia usually starts in the teen years. But it can start even earlier or in adulthood.
• Women. About 10 out of 11 people with bulimia are female. But some boys and men have it too.¹

Many people who have bulimia are white and come from wealthy families. But it can happen to anyone.

What are the symptoms?

People with bulimia:

• Binge on a regular basis. They eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, often over a couple of hours or less.
• Purge to get rid of the food and avoid weight gain. They may make themselves vomit, exercise very hard or for a long time, or misuse laxatives, enemas, water pills (diuretics), or other medicines.
• Base how they feel about themselves on how much they weigh and how they look.