Early Signs of Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder that involves binge eating and purging calories by vomiting, taking pills or engaging in excessive amounts of exercise. The Mayo Clinic warns: "Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. Because it's so intimately related to self-image -- and not just about food -- bulimia can be difficult to overcome." Recognizing the early signs of the disease requires close attention to detail.
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Body Appearance
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health states that people with bulimia may be any body weight, but early physical signs may include rapid weight loss without an apparent cause such as a recent or prolonged illness.
Facial Features
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Early signs, according to the HHS, include changes to facial features from purging. These include a swollen jaw or cheeks and bloodshot eyes.
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Exercise Habits
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People diagnosed with nonpurging bulimia, also called exercise bulimia, burn calories to prevent weight gain by excessive amounts of exercise, according to the Mayo Clinic. Early signs of the disease may include a new and focused interest in exercise, especially after eating.
Eating Habits
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The Mayo Clinic reports that alternating large meals or compulsive eating of large amounts of food (an entire cake) with fasting is an early sign of an eating disorder that may include bulimia.
Related Conditions
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The HHS warns that people diagnosed with depression and anxiety problems often develop bulimia. Attention to the warning signs is an important step in recognizing the disease in the early stages.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Raul Urzua de la Sotta
