What are 5 characteristics of bulimia?

These are the most common symptoms of bulimia:
  • Usually a normal or above average body weight.
  • Recurrent episodes of binge eating and fear of not being able to stop eating.
  • Self-induced vomiting (usually secretive)
  • Excessive exercise.
  • Excessive fasting.
  • Peculiar eating habits or rituals.


What are 5 warning signs of bulimia?

What are the Warning Signs of Bulimia?
  • Episodes of binge eating.
  • Self-induced vomiting.
  • Smelling like vomit.
  • Misuse of laxatives and diuretics.
  • Complaining about body image.
  • Expressing guilt or shame about eating.
  • Depression.
  • Irritability.


What are 3 characteristics of bulimia?

Bulimia signs and symptoms may include:
  • Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight.
  • Living in fear of gaining weight.
  • Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting.
  • Feeling a loss of control during bingeing — like you can't stop eating or can't control what you eat.


What are five effects that bulimia nervosa may have on the body?

The Physical Effects of Bulimia
  • Dehydration. Your body loses fluids when you throw up or overuse diuretics.
  • Electrolyte imbalances. When you get very dehydrated, you lose electrolytes. ...
  • Heart problems. ...
  • Low blood pressure. ...
  • Trouble regulating body temperature. ...
  • Damage to your esophagus. ...
  • Burst esophagus. ...
  • Acid reflux.


How does a person with bulimia behave?

Bulimia is an eating disorder. It is characterized by uncontrolled episodes of overeating, called bingeing. This is followed by purging with methods such as vomiting or misuse of laxatives. Bingeing is eating much larger amounts of food than you would normally eat in a short period of time, usually less than 2 hours.


Bulimia nervosa - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & pathology



What is the most serious consequence of bulimia?

The health consequences of bulimia are most often related to purging behaviors.
  • Dehydration.
  • Electrolyte imbalances.
  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Heart failure.
  • Tooth decay.
  • Acid reflux.
  • Inflammation and rupture of esophagus.
  • Intestinal distress and irritation.


What is a physical characteristic of bulimia?

Other physical symptoms of bulimia nervosa can include: Swollen cheeks or jawline. Gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and acid reflux. Scars, scrapes or calluses on your knuckles (from forced throwing up).

What does mild bulimia look like?

recurrent binge eating. regular purging through vomiting, excessive exercise, misuse of laxatives, or fasting. deriving self-worth from weight and body shape. binge eating and purging that happens, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.


What does severe bulimia look like?

Recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating unusually large quantities of food in a short period of time with feelings of loss of control) followed by inappropriate weight compensatory behaviors (including self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic misuse, and excessive exercise) at least once-weekly during the past ...

What are 3 complications of bulimia?

Medical Complications of Bulimia
  • Persistent acid reflux.
  • Erosion of dentin and enamel on teeth.
  • Hoarse voice (damage to vocal cords)
  • Cardiac arrhythmia.
  • Adverse gastrointestinal effects.
  • Risk of cathartic colon syndrome (from laxative abuse)


Can you tell if someone is bulimic?

Self-induced vomiting and other purging behaviors

The classic symptom of bulimia nervosa needing treatment, a major thing to look out for is evidence of vomiting. This can be in the form of frequent bathroom breaks following meals, taking pills (i.e. laxatives) frequently, and frequent dieting.


What are the final stages of bulimia?

The final stage involves dealing with the emotional issues that caused the onset of Bulimia, such as underlying psychological disorders (E.g. depression, anxiety), low self-esteem and detrimental relationships.

How long can bulimics live?

For many, bulimia is a life-long condition. Some people with bulimia are able to develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise after the first treatment. Others may have a relapse and need treatment again.

Does bulimia affect the brain?

This cycle of behaviors can cause problems to all parts of your body. Bulimia also affects your brain and is often linked to mental health problems like anxiety and depression.


Is bulimia a serious mental illness?

Bulimia nervosa (commonly known as bulimia) is an eating disorder and serious mental health problem. Someone with bulimia might feel parts of their lives are out of control and use purging to give them a sense of control. Bulimia is a serious condition that can cause long-term damage, but help is available.

How do doctors know if you're bulimic?

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.

What does bulimia do to your 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.


Can dentist tell if you have bulimia?

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. All signs that your dentist is trained to recognize as side effects of bulimia.

Are people with bulimia secretive?

For those with bulimia, the secrecy tends to center on their binge and purge cycles. Often, girls with bulimia binge and purge at night while the family sleeps. A great deal of deception is also involved with the food itself. If family food is ingested during a binge, the loss will be noticed.

What are 3 physiological changes that occur with bulimia nervosa?

Physiological effects of bulimia nervosa on the gastrointestinal tract include dental caries and enamel erosion; enlargement of the parotid gland; esophagitis; changes in gastric capacity and gastric emptying; gastric necrosis; and alterations of the intestinal mucosa.


Does bulimia change your personality?

Bulimia nervosa is similar to anorexia nervosa in that it is also characterized by harm avoidance. Individuals with bulimia nervosa are more likely to exhibit shyness, pessimistic thinking, excessive worry and doubt and are easily fatigued.

What triggers bulimia relapse?

What Causes a Relapse? While excessive calorie counting or body image issues can certainly trigger a relapse, eating disorders expert Lauren Muhlheim, Psy. D. says she most often sees patients relapse after a major life-changing event, such as going to college or ending a relationship.

Can bulimia cause sudden death?

In women diagnosed with severe bulimia and hypokalemia, QT interval prolongation and repolarization abnormalities may lead to sudden acute ventricular arrhythmias and death.


Can your body fully recover from bulimia?

If treated swiftly and correctly, individuals are able to experience recovery and healing, along with the reversal of most, but not all, of the physical consequences. However, without professional treatment, bulimia nervosa may be life-threatening.

Can you fully heal from bulimia?

Overall, experts stress that it's possible to recover from bulimia—and that most people do. “I feel so hopeful about people recovering,” says Thomas. “We've worked with so many people who have.”