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Purging Disorder

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Purging disorder is not as well known an eating disorder as anorexia or bulimia. These are two serious eating disorders that are major health issues in this country.

For several years, Iowa researchers have been studying purging disorder. This condition is somewhat similar to bulimia where people eat large amounts of food and then cause themselves to vomit. In purging disorder, people don't binge eat. They make themselves vomit after eating only a small or normal portion of food.

Now, here's an important point. The attention being paid to purging disorder is relatively new, but there are women who have this condition. In fact, there are now websites where people with purging disorder can discuss common issues.

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