Pamela Keel, of the University of Iowa, recently completed research on a little-known eating disorder simply known as purging. Purging is different from bulimia, in that women with purging disorders don't binge-eat. Despite that, they feel the need to purge, even if they've only eaten a small amount of food.

"The dangers of purging disorder are similar to those of bulimia: psychological problems, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances that can affect the heart and kidneys, and potential dental problems because of self-induced vomiting."

Keel conducted research from 2001 to 2005, during which time she studied three different categories of women: those with bulimia, those with symptoms of purge disorder and those with no eating disorder at all. If continued study supports purging as a separate disorder, it could cause the American Psychiatric Association to revise its eating disorder criteria, which could help doctors to adequately screen for purge disorders.

Labels: awareness, dangers_of_eating_disorders, purging