Characterized by the consumption of large amounts of food (bingeing) followed by efforts to rid the body of that food (purging) and/or to compensate for the calories and fat gained from it, bulimia nervosa is a dangerous eating disorder that affects approximately 2 percent of adolescents in the U.S.

Purging and compensatory behaviors can include self-induced vomiting, fasting, excessive exercising, and the abuse of laxatives and diuretics.

Many bulimics -- often but not always teenage girls and young women -- feel as though they are powerless against their compulsions to binge and purge. Because sufferers often are of normal body weight for their height and age, their illness may not always be obvious to others.

Bulimia nervosa is very hard on the body, which can lead to life-threatening medical conditions that include:

• Electrolyte and chemical imbalances -- These can result from the dehydration and loss of vitamins and minerals consistent with frequent vomiting. These imbalances can lead to irregular heartbeat, a cumulative decline in cardiac function, and death.
• Chronic gastrointestinal irregularity and distress -- This can result from abnormal eating and elimination habits and/or the abuse of laxatives and diuretics.
• Esophageal damage -- This can result from frequent self-induced vomiting.

In addition, people who suffer from bulimia nervosa may experience tooth decay and discoloration, swelling of the face or neck, and blisters or calluses on the backs of the hands – all brought about by regular self-induced vomiting.

Find our more information about our bulimia nervosa services.To schedule an appointment or get a referral, call 919-668-7301 locally or 888-ASK-DUKE (888-275-3853) toll-free.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Jiang, Wei
  • Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences / Biological Psychiatry
• Looney, John G.
  • Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences / Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Pediatrics / Duke Child and Family Studies
• Sangvai, Devdutta G.
  • Community and Family Medicine / Student Health
  • Pediatrics / Student Health
• Spratt, Susan E.
  • Medicine / Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition
• Staples, Betty B.
  • Pediatrics / Primary Care Pediatrics
• Story, Lisa B.
  • Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences / Medical Psychology
• Surwit, Richard S.
  • Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences / Medical Psychology
• Weisberg, Laura J.
  • Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences / Medical Psychology
• Zucker, Nancy L.
  • Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences / Medical Psychology

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Eating Disorders
  718 Rutherford Street, Durham, NC 27705