Why do bulimics get puffy cheeks

And I have been eating well, and only the best stuff. Okay, I am healing then. Won't give up before the miracle. Don't YOU either, you sassy thing. Thank you Catherine for sharing this information with us.

All the best of luck for all so us. Sometimes we need articles like that to wake us up from the deep hole we are in. Well I don't know what's up with me, but I resolved to stop purging in January the only new year's resolution I actually managed to stick to!

I have been bulimia free for about 17 months now and my face looks very much like the ladies above STILL. I start to think this is permanent damage I've done to my face, as I was purging from the age of about 15 and for the following 9 years maybe my body assumed my cheeks should be permanently enlarge in order to manage saliva production?

I am quite upset with my face being this way, genetically looking at my mum and sister my face should be very slim It results in technically sharp features and a very manly jawline. To be fair within the last 17 months there were occassions I purged but overal maybe month on average. Is there anything I could do to aid this? I don't think this is swelling of any find, just overgrown glands? I have horrible rounded face that it makes me look ugly and fat!

Is just not me. I will be drinking from 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. Will let you know how my swelling goes. Thanks so much all for sharing your personal experiences. Hi guys, most of these message are old, but oddly it's nice to read them and not feel alone on these puffy faced, bloating bellies, red eyed feeling horribly depressed times!! I'm 25 and suffered with bulimia since I was I've struggled for years on my own trying to battle it out towards recovery and failing every time.

Inappropriate intake of nutrition and fluids, combined with purging, may cause someone with bulimia nervosa to feel dizzy or faint. Bulimia nervosa: Medical complications. Skip to main content.

It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Listen Focus. Find out how to tell if your child might have bulimia nervosa. Key points A person with bulimia nervosa is often at an average or above average weight, but continued bingeing and purging puts them at medical risk.

Behavioural signs of bulimia nervosa include eating food faster than expected or when nobody else is around, disappearing immediately after a meal or becoming more irritable. Physical signs include puffiness in the face, calloused knuckles and broken blood vessels in the eyes or face from repeated purging and dramatic changes in weight.

PCOS has been associated with a resistance to the hormone insulin or the abnormal secretion of insulin which may be a result of binge eating. Overall, there seems to be a general consensus that eating disorders such as bulimia, carry an excessive risk for a mother suffering from the condition and her foetus 1 1.

Pregnancy is often an anxious and stressful time for a number of women, particularly those with eating disorders. The weight gain that accompanies being pregnant and the changes in body shape that come with it may lead to the progression or recurrence of an eating disorder. Studies conducted 1 1 on women with bulimia found that they were significantly more likely to suffer a miscarriage, while those with anorexia nervosa were more likely to give birth to smaller babies in comparison to the general population.

In another study, women with an eating disorder or a history of the eating disorder, were found to have a higher risk of miscarriage and premature labour Other maternal issues that were reported in those with an eating disorder included:. As previously mentioned, women who suffer from bulimia have a higher risk of developing postnatal depression. It is thought that changes in body image, loss of control over their changing bodies and weight gain contribute to this risk, making women with bulimia more vulnerable to depression.

Women who have recovered from an eating disorder may suffer from a relapse as a result of their pregnancy. Women with an eating disorder also tend to stop breastfeeding sooner than others in order to gain control over the hunger associated with this practice. Women who are recovering from bulimia and have a normal menstrual cycle may have a good chance of falling pregnant and experiencing a healthy and safe pregnancy. However, women with a history of an eating disorder may have a more difficult time falling pregnant than women who have never suffered from an eating disorder and may take between six months and a year to conceive.

Fluctuating body weight and nutritional issues will interfere with the sex hormones in both men and women and affect their fertility. Men may also have a lowered sperm count due to bulimia related weight loss. Bulimic men who partake in excessive exercise to combat the calories ingested during a bingeing episode may risk the temperature of their testicles increasing on a constant basis, which may damage sperm.

However, in some cases, good intentions may progress to severe extremes in terms of dietary and caloric restriction which in turn triggers cravings and binge eating. Bulimia is classified as an eating disorder, however, the condition is also regarded as a mental health condition. Experts believe that other pre-existing mental conditions may also be a risk factor in the development of bulimia. Sufferers may, in addition to bulimia, also experience as a result of the eating disorder or prior to its development issues such as anxiety, depression and OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder.

These conditions bring about sadness, stress and a drivenness towards perfectionism in sufferers. Irritability and moodiness may occur due to poor nutrition and a lack of vital vitamins and minerals in the body as a result of bulimia.

The constant monitoring of weight and food as can develop into an obsession, taking precedence over all else. Compulsive exercising, a non-purging type of bulimia, is associated with feelings of anxiety and a compulsion to rid the body of extra calories.

Those with this type bulimia may also obsess over thoughts of food in terms of what they want to eat, or binge on and how to rid themselves of the calories after eating. A person suffering from bulimia may also exhibit signs of addiction and engage in substance abuse, using alcohol and drugs to deal with their insecurities.

These acts and their associated emotions often lead to the withdrawal of the sufferer from social situations and personal relationships. Most feel as though they have hide their condition from their friends and loved ones in order to continue this behaviour without interruption, avoid unwanted attention and possible attempts at intervention, as the mere thought of not being able to purge after bingeing evokes panic. This behaviour compounds feelings of anxiety, isolation and loneliness, yet still, the draw towards being in control is somehow almost always more appealing.

Over the long term, the cycle of these emotions can result in suicidal thoughts and tendencies as the affected person begins to be overwhelmed by these feelings, discontent with their own body image and the lack of understanding of those around them.

This is why seeking a proper diagnosis and professional medical treatment is so vital for those suffering from bulimia nervosa. The guidance of trained professionals not only helps a sufferer physically, emotionally and psychologically but may ultimately save their life. Exercise bulimia is a non-purging form of bulimia which involves the sufferer partaking in excessive, vigorous forms of exercise as a form of compensation for episodes of bingeing.

Those who partake in healthy forms of exercise will typically organise their exercise routine around their personal and work life, whereas those who are dependent on exercise will organise their lives around it. While exercise is generally considered a necessary aspect of optimum health, too much exercise can have negative effects on the body and place extra pressure on the heart which can lead to an irregular heartbeat.

Excessive exercise may also place a great deal of stress on the joints and bones which may lead to stress fractures, chronic joint pain and arthritis. High intensity exercise promotes an increase in cortisol levels in the body, cortisol is also known as the stress hormone. Bad breath is another bulimia effect. Erosion can drastically change the color, size and shape of your teeth.

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.