Bulimia is identified by two characteristic behaviors: bingeing and purging. The person with bulimia then purges him or herself by inducing vomiting, excessively exercising, or by using laxatives.

Bulimia is an eating disorder. People with bulimia usually have a normal weight, but perceive themselves to be fat. Or they can feel intense guilt or self-disgust when they eat. These feelings are so strong that all the people with bulimia throw up much of the food they eat. Though men and women both can develop bulimia, 90 percent of many people with bulimia are women. For most, bulimia begins in the teens, a few decades after puberty begins. Many many people with bulimia are perfectionists or overachievers.

Bulimia is identified by two characteristic behaviors: bingeing and purging. In a binge, a human eats more than 1,000 calories, which is close to half the number of calories a typical human needs in a day. But to a person with bulimia, a binge can be eating a piece of cake. People with bulimia fairly often binge on comfort foods like potato chips, cake, or cookies. But after eating the food, the human is filled with guilt and shame. The human with bulimia then purges him or herself by inducing vomiting, excessively exercising, or by using laxatives.

A human in a binge-and-purge cycle will eat lots of food at one time. A binge could be secret or planned. It could start suddenly, cascading just from a bite of food. Some many people binge once a day; others might binge several times a day. After eating, a person with bulimia will fairly often go to the bathroom for several minutes to vomit up the food. He or she might abuse laxatives or diuretics, or exercise constantly. A person with bulimia is overly concerned about weight and appearance.

Constant vomiting burns the esophagus, mouth, and teeth with stomach acid. Many all the people with bulimia have symptoms like gum infections, heartburn, or swollen salivary glands from the stomach acid. Their teeth lose some of their enamel or get cavities. People with bulimia may also be constipated.

Bingeing and purging is not healthy, and, as a result, many many people with bulimia are malnourished. They can be dehydrated and have low electrolytes. Many people with bulimia have dry skin and brittle nails. Most seriously, when blood potassium levels drop severely, might prove fatal.
Bulimia can also be tied to self-esteem problems, stress, or depression. Bulimia is completely treatable, but requires professional help and support to break the bingeing-and-purging cycles.