One of the telltale signs of bulimia is the appearance of swollen cheeks – colloquially known as “chipmunk cheeks” – on the sides of the face. Caused by the enlargement of the
Bulimia jaw is a term for a number of symptoms that can result from the purging aspect of bulimia nervosa (BN). It can refer to swelling, intense pain, and a misalignment of the jaw, and sometimes require surgery to correct. Further Reading. Bulimia Jaw: Pain and Swelling.
Hair, skin, and nail problems.
Your hair and nails may break off easily, and your hair can thin out. Vomiting might cause small broken veins on your face, red areas around your mouth, or a purple rash.
Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning. Dehydration, which can lead to major medical problems, such as kidney failure. Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure. Severe tooth decay and gum disease.
Another result of long-term bulimia is bite-change. It can become so extreme that the patient's jaw joints are gradually misaligned, causing severe TMJ-related facial pain (which may domino and lead to headaches, neck and shoulder pain as well).
Bulimia's Effects on the Face & Cheeks. Bulimia can cause puffiness in the face as a result of purging, which can cause swelling in the parotid glands. While not dangerous, this swelling can sometimes cause pain and significantly affect a person's facial aesthetic.
When a person has been engaging in self-induced vomiting regularly and they suddenly stop engaging in the behaviour, their salivary glands in front of their ears (cheeks) may begin to swell. This makes their cheeks look swollen.
Puffy face
People with bulimia nervosa may develop swollen parotid glands because of their repeated purging. These glands are just in front of the ears and may cause swelling in the face.
“Chipmunk Cheeks”: A Common Sign of Bulimia
One of the telltale signs of bulimia is the appearance of swollen cheeks – colloquially known as “chipmunk cheeks” – on the sides of the face. Caused by the enlargement of the parotid glands (one of the salivary glands), the medical term for this phenomenon is sialadenosis.
Excessive tooth erosion is one way your dentist could tell if a patient may be bulimic. Frequent vomiting can lead to sensitive teeth, dry mouth and red, cracked lips. All signs that your dentist is trained to recognize as side effects of bulimia.
The bingeing and purging cycle isn't even an effective way to lose weight. Indeed, many people with bulimia actually gain weight over time. Your body starts absorbing calories from the moment you put food in your mouth.
According to the bible of psychiatric diagnosis, the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, anorexia must be accompanied by cessation of menstrual periods for at least three months in a row, and bulimia must involve vomiting or other forms of purging at least two times a week, on average.
If your primary care provider suspects you have bulimia, he or she will typically: Talk to you about your eating habits, weight-loss methods and physical symptoms. Do a physical exam. Request blood and urine tests.
FACT: Research has shown that vomiting cannot get rid of all the calories ingested, even when done immediately after eating. A vomit can only remove up to about half of the calories eaten - which means that, realistically, between half to two thirds of what is eaten is absorbed by the body.
The shortest can be from 30 minutes after eating; the longest may only show symptoms a week or more after eating. If you suspect you have food poisoning, it is recommended that you seek diagnosis from a doctor. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Bulimia knuckles" develop due to the repeated contact of the teeth on the back of the hand or knuckles when fingers are used to trigger a gag reflex. ( 3) British psychiatrist Gerald Russell first recognized this sign as a common indicator among his eating disorder patients, hence the name.
Self-induced vomiting may contribute to the puffiness in the face or “bulimia face.” After a long duration of constant purging, suddenly stopping would lead to a person displaying bulimia face. Swollen cheeks are created by swelling in the salivary glands and appear a few weeks after a person stops purging.
In fact, years of mental and emotional anguish cause sufferers to begin overeating and purging in order to gain some sense of control in their lives. Depending on several factors, it may take several months or even a few years to find recovery from bulimia.
Drinking excess amounts of water
First, water is an easy way to curb hunger pains and not intake calories while skipping meals. Second, constant purging can quickly lead to dehydration, and their body will require a lot of water to keep running properly.
Other effects can include cavities, gum disease, intestinal problems, hair loss, dry skin, sleep problems, stroke, and organ failure. Due to this intense damage to the body, people with bulimia are at risk of death if they do not seek treatment.
For those with bulimia, harsh stomach acid from frequent vomiting wears away tooth enamel increasing the risk of tooth decay; and the effects of anorexia, especially the lack of nutrients consumed, can weaken the jaw bone which also weakens teeth and leads to tooth loss.