Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as purging (vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics), fasting, or vigorous exercise; episodes occur on average at least once a week for 3 months. Bulimia nervosa occurs in 1.6% of adolescents and young women, and in 0.5% of men of the same age. All patients are overly concerned about their body weight and shape. Unlike patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa patients usually weigh within normal limits or more.

Patients with bulimia nervosa typically describe an alternation of binge eating followed by purging. Overeating involves eating food in an amount that significantly exceeds that consumed by most people over the same period of time under similar circumstances and accompanied by a feeling of loss of control over oneself.

During episodes of binge eating, patients prefer to eat sweets, foods high in fat (eg, ice cream, cakes). The amount of food consumed varies greatly and can reach several thousand calories. Overeating is usually episodic, often triggered by psychosocial stress, may occur several times a day, and usually in secret.

Overeating is followed by compensatory behavior: provoked vomiting, the use of laxatives or diuretics, increased physical activity, and/or starvation. Usually, the weight of patients is within normal limits; a minority is overweight or obese. However, patients are overly concerned about the weight and/or shape of their own body; they are often unhappy with their body and think they need to lose weight.

Most of the physical symptoms and complications occur as a result of cleansing procedures. Vomiting can lead to erosion of the tooth enamel of the incisors, a painless increase in the parotid (salivary) glands, and the development of esophagitis.

Professor Rakhmanov treats bulimia nervosa with his own non-drug method. This method is protected by patents and recognized in other countries. The brain has a huge margin of safety and the main task is to make healthy brain cells work instead of dead or injured. Ways to do this are selected individually for each patient. Acupuncture – stimulation of certain biologically active points, helps to normalize the entire nervous system.