Even occasional bulimia can result in a swollen face. It's caused by the act of binging and purging.
In fact, face swelling people in people suffering from bulimia nervosa is so common that it's often referred to as "bulimia face," "bulimia cheeks," or "chipmunk cheeks."
Many people who have bulimia also have Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
BDD causes people to feel so worried about the way their body looks that it interferes with their ability to function.
When someone with bulimia looks in the mirror, they often find the purging's impact on their faces to be one of the most troubling.
It can cause them to feel like they have a fat face when—in fact—the swelling is due to their behavior of forced vomiting.
The facial swelling occurs because the body gets dehydrated from vomiting.
As the body begins to dehydrate, it automatically starts to store water, typically in the parotid glands. These are the glands ring the jawline and the sides of the face.
When these glands swell, it gives the face a swollen look.
This occurs in approximately 10–50% of patients, depending on the frequency of vomiting.
Swelling can also occur when daily self-induced vomiting suddenly stops. The same glands, the parotid glands swell, causing the the face to look swollen.
At first, this facial swelling will occur on occasion, however, eventually it persists.
Research suggests it can take 3-6 days after a bingeing-purging episode for the swelling to appear.
Eating disorders are more pervasive, more dangerous, and most of all, more complicated than you might think.
It's essential to reach out to a medical or mental health professional for help. The appearance of "chipmunk cheeks" may suggest symptoms of bulimia.
However, before questioning or accusing someone of having an eating disorder, experts recommend you first talk to a medical or mental health professional.
If you or someone you know is seeking mental health care for an eating disorder, you can find licensed therapists who specialize in treating eating disorders on the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice.
There are also counselors who specialize in binge eating disorder.
Some additional resources are included below:
National Eating Disorders Association
Live Helpline: 800-931-2237 Hours (PST): Monday through Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
For crisis situations, text “NEDA” to 741741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line.
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Many investigations are conducted by researchers across the country. Because of what studies discovered years ago, we now have new and better treatment options.
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Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.