Bulimia Signs

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating which is followed by efforts to avoid gaining weight. Someone with bulimia may consume thousands of calories during an hour-long binge. After the binge, the person takes measures to get rid of the food such as through purging.

Bulimia signs include binge related behavior and the use of methods of purging. The binging includes consuming massive quantities of food. The food consumed during a binge is often but not always high calorie snacks and other fattening foods. The total calorie count of food consumed during a binge is often more calories than a person would normally consume in a day.

Methods of purging include inducing vomiting and the use of laxatives. Some people with bulimia will use excessive amounts of exercise to attempt to avoid gaining weight from the binge. People with bulimia who purge are sometimes said to have the purging type of bulimia, while people who exercise for go on extreme diets to avoid gaining weight may be referred to as having the nonpurging type of bulimia.

There are other bulimia signs that are not directly related to binging and purging. Many people with bulimia eats secretly and may follow periods of over eating with fasting. People may notice that a person with bulimia is likely to either overeat or fast, never eating normal amounts of food.

People with bulimia may develop discolored teeth and puffy cheeks from habitual vomiting. The person may develop scars are calluses on their knuckles or hands from inducing vomiting with their fingers. They may also have frequent sore throats from vomiting.

Another sign of bulimia is a use of diet pills, saunas, or diuretics which are used to avoid weight gain. If the person with bulimia vomits after eating, the person or the bathroom may smell of vomit. People with bulimia may try to cover the smell of vomit with the use of mouthwash, perfume, gum, or mints.

If someone suspects that they may have bulimia, one bulimia sign they may notice is a preoccupation with eating or food. A person with bulimia may also have low self-esteem or tendencies towards depression and perfectionism. People with bulimia often have a fear of gaining weight, yet have episodes during which they eat until they are physically uncomfortable.