Volume 30, Issue 174, August 2026

Bulimia nervosa – Epidemiology, diagnosis, complications and contemporary treatment methods

Emilia Goc^1♦, Zuzanna Irzyk¹, Katarzyna Markuszka¹, Julia Rogała¹, Sylwia Lepak¹, Kinga Polityńska¹, Dominika Ruszel¹, Klaudia Samuła¹, Martyna Sarzyńska¹, Mateusz Szabat²

¹Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
²Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 2, Rzeszów, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Emilia Goc, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland

ABSTRACT

Bulimia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that mainly affects young women and teenagers. It develops due to a combination of social, psychological, and biological factors. People with bulimia often have episodes of binge eating followed by efforts to prevent weight gain. Frequent vomiting and purging can lead to serious metabolic issues and changes in blood electrolyte levels. Repeated exposure to stomach acid can cause tooth decay, mouth sores, and digestive problems. Many cases are not diagnosed because people are often reluctant to seek help, which makes it difficult to determine how common the disorder is. Diagnosis relies on standard criteria from international systems such as the DSM-5 and ICD-10. This review covers what is currently known about bulimia nervosa, including how common it is, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and related physical complications. Studies indicate that cognitive-behavioral therapy is still the most effective treatment. Sometimes, medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine are also used. Early diagnosis and a team-based approach to treatment help reduce complications and improve long-term outcomes for people with bulimia nervosa.

Keywords: bulimia nervosa; eating disorders; cognitive behavioral therapy; fluoxetine; somatic complications; epidemiology

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e172ms3865

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Published: 29 August 2026