Signs and symptoms of bulimia include eating large amounts of food in short periods of time without being able to stop, making frequent trips to the bathroom after eating, vomiting, using laxatives or enemas to purge food, dieting and fasting, exercising a lot after eating, repeatedly losing or gaining more than 10 pounds, feeling weak or depression or guilty. You may also have heartburn or reflux, damaged teeth, swollen cheeks, or menstrual problems. You may have constant thoughts about being thin and feelings about your weight may be tied to your self-esteem.

Bulimia is especially dangerous when vomiting or laxatives are used to remove food from the body. Either habit can cause an electrolyte imbalance that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.