According to a National Eating Disorder Association survey, 10 million people in the United States deal with eating disorders. Some of these disorders include binge eating, anorexia, and bulimia.
An eating disorder can affect anybody. However, it’s most commonly found in teenagers and young women. If you think your eating habits have drastically changed over the last few days, you can closely monitor the following signs:
1. Poor Oral Health
Eating disorders can greatly impact your oral health and cause problems such as toothaches. When you stop consuming a balanced diet, your teeth suffer calcium and other mineral deficiencies. This is a sign of an eating disorder that your dentist may fail to diagnose.
The American Dental Association says that poor oral hygiene can be commonly found in patients with eating disorders because lack of good nutrition can cause the mouth’s gums and tissues to bleed easily. The patient may also experience dry mouth because the glands that produce saliva may swell because of poor diet.
2. Swollen Cheeks
Swollen cheeks and jawline are most commonly linked with bulimia but may also happen with an eating disorder that involves purging.Swollen cheeks are caused by salivary glands such as parotid glands. This swelling can occur during any stage of the sickness and depends on the individual and how frequently they purge.
3. Hormonal Imbalance
Eating disorders such as anorexia may cause your hormone production to be drastically disrupted. Irregular hormone production can affect your body’s ability to regulate mood, energy, and sleep patterns. Hormonal imbalance can also lead to irregular periods and severe acne in women.
4. Fatigue
If you feel tired all the time without any intensive physical activity, you could have an eating disorder because your muscles need the energy to perform daily tasks. When you eat less or do not eat at all, your muscles start relying on the stored fats in the body,making you feel tired more frequently.
Besides negatively impacting your health, an eating disorder can also additionally cause body image issues affecting your self-confidence at work or school. But the good news is, they can be treated with medications. If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, reach out to a doctor without delay.
Ziks Health Services provides behavioral health services in New Mexico and Dallas, TX. They are psychiatric services providers, helping patients fight depression and other disorders. Contact them to book your appointment.
Leave A Reply