Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person engages in

binge eating followed by some type of behavior to prevent weight gain from the food that was eaten. This behavior can take two forms: purging (self-induced vomiting, laxatives, or diet pills) and nonpurging (excessive exercise). Some people with bulimia nervosa may also starve themselves for periods of time before binge eating again.

No one knows for sure what causes bulimia but researchers have several theories. Reasons for engaging in bulimic behavior are similar in males and females and can include the following:

• Lack of self esteem
• stress
• depression
• need to feel control
• media
• overweight
• feeling unloved
• puberty
• Genetics
• Peer pressure

It can affect males and females, including people as young as eight and as old as 60—young girls, college-age women, male and female athletes, and middle-aged women. The disorder is, however, more common in females; about 90% of people with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa are female.

A Dentist or Doctor May Notice

· Sore, bleeding gums and mouth

· Tooth enamel erosion from vomiting

· Dry, red, cracked lips, especially at the corners

· Swollen cheeks and jaws

· Swollen saliva glands

· Callused or discolored skin at fi nger joints from forced vomiting

· Abnormal blood test results (e.g., blood too acidic or alkaline, potassium too low, cholesterol too high)

Family and Friends May Notice

· Appears uncomfortable eating around others

· Buys large amounts of food that disappear

· Can’t explain missing food

· Skips meals

· Takes small portions of food at regular meals

· Always excuses self from table before others are fi nished

· Has odd food habits (e.g., different foods not touching on a plate)

· Chews each bite of food excessively

· Eats only a particular food or food group (e.g., condiments)

· Drinks excessive amounts of liquids

· Isolates self from interactions with family and friends

· Uses excessive amounts of mouthwash, mints, and gum

· Hides body with larger clothes

· Excessive exercise regimens

· Unless he or she needs medical help call 911
· take time to educate yourself about the disorder
· try having a private, nonjudgmental conversation with the person. Tell the person about the behaviors you’ve seen that make you worry.
· If the person denies the problem, be gentle
· Control Is a major issue within a person who has an eating disorder . So you cannot force that person control his or her behavior or choices.
· forcing treatment usually does not work. Perhaps an intervention may help the patient to realize that he or she needs proper healthcare by agreeing to go in for treatment at a facility. The patient has to be willing to undergo treatment to achieve the best chance of success.

Many people especially celebrities have struggles with bulimia or is still struggling with Bulimia. An example of a celebrity who dealt with bulimia is Lindsay Lohan. In 2006 Lindsay admitted in the Vanity Fair magazine that her body was shrinking, her low body weight was due to her Bulimia. “I was sick,” the singer/actress says in the magazine’s February issue. “Everyone was scared. And I was scared too. I had people sit me down and say, ’You’re going to die if you don’t take care of yourself.’ ”

One of those interventions took place in May 2005.

Finally she overcame bulimia she had got treatment but her progress was a little slow.