When related toeating disorders, purging means abruptly expelling food from the body to avoid weight gain after consumption.
It’s important to seek medical help for any signs of purging.
Thesewebsites are very dangerousand cause significant harm.
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Watch for signs that someone may be using them.
Purging can cause serious harm to the body and may even be fatal.
Anyone with symptoms of purging disorder should see a healthcare provider for help with treatment and protecting long-term health.
Sometimes purging can cause a need for immediate or emergency medical attention that cannot wait.
Purging can be damaging in many ways.
Types of Purging
Common types of purging include:
Who Does Purging Affect?
Eating disordersincluding purging disorderscan affect people of all genders, races, and ages.
Trans and nonbinary people are also vulnerable to eating disorders.
One study suggests that trans and nonbinary people who were assigned female at birth are particularly at risk.
Research and stereotypes about eating disorders are typically White-centered.
This bias is both erroneous and dangerous.
Your healthcare provider will conduct tests to help recommend treatment.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Getting help for purging disorder is vital.
Early intervention is most effective.
If you think you may have purging disorder, see your healthcare provider.
Criticism and shame are likely to cause them to retreat.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
However, help for purging is available and effective, especially when started early.
Recovery will involve working with a team to provide nutrition counseling, psychotherapy, and possibly medications.
With treatment, more than half of individuals with purging improve.
But even after successful treatment, purging can return, so experts often recommend maintenance treatment.
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