About Junko Expertise I can answer most questions pertaining to teen health, thought I cannot give medical advice. I can explain medical terminology, describe medical conditions and hopefully help people understand what is going on with their bodies. If I don`t know an answer to a question, being a medical student, I can easily find out the answer since I have many resources I can refer to.
Expert: Junko Date: 3/27/2007 Subject: just wondering
Question I am a normal weight, always have been but i have been obsesed with my weight since i was about 13. I recently moved out of home for a semester abroad and have found the best way to feel good is to eat dinner and throw up after. I dont eat anything else normally in the day. Sometimes i will go out though and eat something and not be sick, but normally when i am home I do, when i dont i feel bad that i havent been sick. Does this make me bulimic? I love loosing the excess weight that i had but dont want anyone to think i am bulimic. What should i do?
Answer Hi L,
Yes, you are bulimic. Here is an official definition of bulimia that I copied from an online medical dictionary:
Bulimia is "[a]n eating disorder characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (binge-eating) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives and diuretics, or excessive exercise. The insatiable appetite of bulimia is often interrupted by periods of anorexia."
Bulimia is very harmful to your body. Bulimia and the process of throwing up so often damages your teeth and your gastrointestinal system (irritates your salivary glands, esophagus - the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach, throat), can slow down your metabolism resulting in weight problems, and can result in severe nutritional deficiency which can be cause your heart to beat abnormally among many other things. Bulimia is a serious health problem and you need to get help. I understand that this is not an easy thing to talk someone about. Is there someone you trust (a family member, friend, your doctor) who you think might be able to help you? If you don't feel that you can talk to someone you know, there are also national hotlines for people with bulimia seeking help. Please check out the National Eating Disorders Association website for more information:
www.edap.org. Also, the helpline number is 1-800-931-2237. I really hope you will ask for some help.
