Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves recurring and very frequent episodes of eating huge amounts of food (this is binge-eating), and feeling a complete lack of control over eating. It's followed by a type of behavior that is meant to correct the binge, such as purging, which is vomiting or the overuse of laxatives and/or diuretics, fasting and/or an excessive amount of exercise. People with bulimia differ from people with anorexia because they usually fall within the normal range for their age and weight.

Although someone with bulimia can fall within the normal range of weight for their age, they usually fear gaining weight, want to desperately lose weight, and are very unhappy with their body shape and size. Bulimic behavior is generally done in secret. Often feelings of disgust or shame go with it. A binging and purging cycle develops and usually it's repeated a few times a week. Bulimics often have co-existing illnesses, such as anxiety, depression and/or one or more substance abuse problems. Purging causes many physical conditions including imbalance of electrolytes, gastrointestinal issues, and oral, gum and tooth-related problems.

There are many other bulimia symptoms or side effects: they include: a chronically inflamed or sore throat, swollen lymph glands in the neck and under the jaw, tooth enamel that is eroded, teeth that become sensitive and tooth decay for repeated exposure to stomach acids, acid reflux problems, colon distress and irritation from overuse of laxatives, kidney issues from excessive use of diuretics and serious dehydration from purging fluids.

The best cure or treatment for bulimia is a combination of treatment plans and needs to be tailored to the individual. It can be treated in an eating disorder treatment center. Or one can work in a clinic with a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist. The treatment would be designed to help reduce or completely eliminate the binge and purge behavior. It would start with nutritional counseling with an emphasis on living foods to provide the best nutrients to help the body heal faster. It would be combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help the patient understand why the condition exists. CBT that has been designed specifically to help bulimics has been very effective in changing the binging and purging behaviors and eating attitudes and help get to the cause. This can be done individually or in group settings.

These combined approaches should help the bulimic recover and heal and prevent it from recurring. Natural methods are best to treat anxiety and depression if they are part of the problem.

The combined bulimia treatment approach for this eating disorder should help reduce binge-eating and purging behavior, reduce the chance of a relapse and improve attitudes about eating. This natural eating disorder treatment has helped many bulimics recover.