bulimia nervosa is a restrictive eating disorder in which large amounts of food are consumed rapidly, which is subsequently followed by attempts to 'purge' the food to allocate the calories consumed. The most well known method of purging is by self induced vomiting, but other methods can include excessive exercise, abuse of laxatives, or severely restricting food consumed in the following days. Bulimics often maintain an average body weight, which can lead to the disorder going unnoticed, but bulimia can be just as fatal as other eating disorders such as anorexia. Side effects of bulimia often include rotting teeth and red fingers from purging, changes in weight, problems in the stomach and esophagus, and most convincingly, electrolyte imbalances that can lead to more severe health concerns. Signs of bulimia in a loved one can include a preoccupation with weight, body size, and calories, immediately using the bathroom after a meal, an increased interest in exercises, not being hungry at typical meal times due to previous binge episodes, and changes in mood. Bulimia is often not taken as seriously as anorexia nervosa due to the lack of easily visible effects, and this mindset can lead to individuals not seeking help because they don't see themselves as being 'sick enough'. Although bulimia may not lead to rapid weight loss or gain as it might with other eating disorders, the fatalities from the disorder as well as the increased risk of suicide among individuals dealing with eating disorders signify the need for increased research and understanding of the disorder to reduce the stigmas associated with bullimia nervosa.
