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swollen glands
Hi- I was bulimic for 8 years and I am 7 months re
Question:
Hi- I was bulimic for 8 years and I am 7 months recovered right now. I know that it is normal for your salivary glands to puff up while your in recovery, but is it normal for them to be swollen for 7 months straight? My glands are still swollen and I am soooo worried that they wont go back down. They have made little improvement but they are still very embarrassingly large. I did have a severe case of anorexia/bulimia (threw up 6x a day) so this might effect the length of time that it will take for my glands to shrink but I don't know. Will they go back to normal?
Answer:
Hi Jen,
Congratulations on having 7 months of recovery on your side! Normally the swollen salivary glands that give the appearance of “chipmunk-like cheeks” go down when the binge purging behavior ceases. In rare case like your own, the swelling may continue for months. In my 27 years of treating eating disorders, I have seen a handful of individuals with your concern. You need to see an ENT to diagnose your condition. I have heard of such things as individuals being prescribed antibiotics, ridding the mucous trapped in the glands, low amounts of saliva needing to be addressed and blockage needing surgery.
Good luck,
Dr. Patricia Pitts is the Chief Executive
Officer of The Bella Vita established in
1985. She is a nationally renowned
expert in the treatment of anorexia. Read moreDr. Patricia Pitts is the Chief Executive
Officer of The Bella Vita established in
1985. She is a nationally renowned
expert in the treatment of anorexia.
Read more
Officer of The Bella Vita established in
1985. She is a nationally renowned
expert in the treatment of anorexia.
Read more
