Diseases » Bulimia nervosa » Signs

Signs of Bulimia nervosa

Symptoms of Bulimia nervosa

The list of medical symptoms mentioned in various sources for Bulimia nervosa may include:

• Repeated cycles of binging and purging
• Binging
  • Binge eating episodes
  • Uncontrolled eating
  • Hoarding food
  • Excessive eating
• more symptoms...»

List of 47 Bulimia nervosa Symptoms

Note that Bulimia nervosa symptoms usually refers to various medical symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Bulimia nervosa signs may often refer to those signs that are only noticable by a doctor.

Signs or Symptoms of Bulimia nervosa:

Bulimia Nervosa: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The binge-purge cycle may be accompanied by self-deprecating thoughts, depression, and an awareness that the eating is abnormal and out of control. Bulimia may be present when a person frequently shows some of the following warning sings.

• Evidence of binge-eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or the existence of wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food.

• Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.

• Excessive, rigid exercise regimen-the feeling to "burn off" calories taken in despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury.

• Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area

• Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting.

• Discoloration or staining of the teeth.

• Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.

• Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.

• In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns.

(Source: excerpt from Bulimia Nervosa: NWHIC)

Fact Sheet Eating Disorders: NWHIC (Excerpt)

As with anorexia nervosa, those with bulimia are overly concerned with food, body weight, and shape. Because many individuals with bulimia 'binge and purge' in secret and maintain normal or above normal body weight, they can often hide the disorder from others for years. Binges can range from once or twice a week to several times a day and can be triggered by a variety of emotions such as depression, boredom, or anger. The illness may be constant or occasional, with periods of remission alternating with recurrences of binge eating. (Source: excerpt from Fact Sheet Eating Disorders: NWHIC)

Fact Sheet Eating Disorders: NWHIC (Excerpt)

A person with Bulimia may…

• Become very secretive about food, spend a lot of time thinking about and planning the next binge
• Take repeated trips to the bathroom, particularly after eating
• Steal food or hoard it in strange places
• Engage in compulsive exercising If an individual is displaying any of these characteristics, they should be taken to a physician, nutritionist, or other professional with expertise in diagnosing eating disorders.

(Source: excerpt from Fact Sheet Eating Disorders: NWHIC)

Eating Disorders Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions: NIMH (Excerpt)

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating, characterized by eating an excessive amount of food within a discrete period of time and by a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode

• Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications (purging); fasting; or excessive exercise

• The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months

• Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight

Because purging or other compensatory behavior follows the binge-eating episodes, people with bulimia usually weigh within the normal range for their age and height. However, like individuals with anorexia, they may fear gaining weight, desire to lose weight, and feel intensely dissatisfied with their bodies. People with bulimia often perform the behaviors in secrecy, feeling disgusted and ashamed when they binge, yet relieved once they purge. (Source: excerpt from Eating Disorders Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions: NIMH)

More Symptoms of Bulimia nervosa:

More detailed symptom information may be found on the symptoms of Bulimia nervosa article. In addition to the above medical information, to get a full picture of the possible signs or symptoms of this condition and also possibly the signs and symptoms of its related medical conditions, it may be necessary to examine symptoms that may be caused by:

• Complications of Bulimia nervosa
• Hidden causes of Bulimia nervosa
• Associated conditions for Bulimia nervosa
• Risk factors for Bulimia nervosa
• Related symptoms

Medical articles on signs and symptoms:

These general reference articles may be related to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

• Books on signs and symptoms
• Books on medical diagnosis
• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Symptoms and Medical Malpractice

What are the signs of Bulimia nervosa?

The phrase "signs of Bulimia nervosa" should, strictly speaking, refer only to those signs and symptoms of Bulimia nervosa that are not readily apparent to the patient. The word "symptoms of Bulimia nervosa" is the more general meaning; see symptoms of Bulimia nervosa.

The signs and symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Bulimia nervosa. This medical information about signs and symptoms for Bulimia nervosa has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Bulimia nervosa signs or Bulimia nervosa symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Bulimia nervosa may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Bulimia nervosa symptoms.

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