After four weeks, women in the ondansetron group had significantly fewer episodes of bingeing and vomiting than those in the placebo group. They were also eating a significantly greater number of meals without vomiting. Therefore, it is paramount that physicians and advocacy groups focus on educating young people on the risk of using this behaviour for weight control. The recognition of the biological component of bulimia suggested by our research should help remove the negative societal stigmas often associated with this disorder. She said the new therapy was potentially useful, but untested in the long term, and was likely only to be effective in conjunction with cognitive behaviour therapy.
Many experts believe that bulimia is linked to problems with self-esteem.
However, research is being done into a possible genetic cause. Bulimics run a risk of potassium deficiency which can lead to heart disease, and calcium deficiency which can lead to the brittle bone disease osteoporosis.