Excoriations and scars on the back of the knuckles and hands (Russell's Sign) Individuals who engage in self-induced vomiting as a compensatory behavior will often have excoriations on the back of the knuckles.
Talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can all be effective treatments for anxiety. Medication is also an option to treat anxiety. Not all techniques work for all people, so it may take some trial-and-error to find what works for you.
For example, commenting on their body size, eating habits, food choices, or exercise habits can be very triggering. And although you may mean well, these comments ultimately do more harm than good, which is why it's helpful to educate yourself on the dos and don'ts of talking to someone with an eating disorder.
If you have bulimia, your day may be filled with anxiety about eating and finding ways to hide it from others. Most of your day may be filled with trying not to think about food or attempting to control your urge to overeat, or binge eat. In some cases, binge eating is not about hunger.
The act of placing the hands in the mouth to purge unwanted food immediately following meals (or after a binge) leads to what is called Russell's sign, which is the appearance of calluses on the knuckles. In some cases, individuals with bulimia may develop lacerations and lesions on the hands and knuckles.
As such, be aware of repeated, repetitive flushing if you know you have a toilet that is in good working order. Also, excessive toilet paper used to catch and cover up remnants of purges is also common.
Bulimia can permanently damage your stomach and intestines, causing other problems like constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Hormonal problems. Reproductive issues, including irregular periods, missed periods, and fertility problems are common side effects when you have bulimia.
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.
Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging at a frequency of >2-3 times per week. Compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise. Extreme concern with body weight and shape.
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.
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.
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.
Erosion of the tooth enamel can happen quite quickly when people with bulimia nervosa frequently engage in self-induced vomiting. Within just six months, the teeth can start to lose their shine as the outer enamel layer wears away. The eroded tooth surfaces start to turn a yellow hue as the dentin shows through.
Mental and Emotional Effects
The effects of bulimia can damage the brain's ability to concentrate and make decisions. Those with bulimia sometimes suffer from psychological issues that can last years and even endanger their lives. Some individuals fall into a such great depression that they may become suicidal.
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.
Bulimia may also affect eyes, ears and nose. Self-induced vomiting may result in subconjunctival haemorrhage or recurrent epistaxis (nose bleeding). Subconjunctival haemorrhage consists of red patches in the white of the eyes and it is benign. Recurrent seizures of nose bleeding should prompt inquiry about purging.
Given the health problems that occur alongside bulimia, there is an increased risk of death among people who live with this eating disorder. Research has shown that the crude mortality rate of bulimia is 3.9% over the long term.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental health condition. People with bulimia are very anxious about their weight and focused on having the 'right' body shape. They also spend a lot of time thinking about food.