I have been struggling with chewing and spitting food for about 3 years. I know that I am out of control, yet no matter what I do, I cannot stop. Within the last 5 months, I have noticed that my face has taken on a more rounded and swollen appearance. I even feel a burning sensation in my cheeks after I eat. I fear that this is due to damage that I have done to the salivary glands or something similar with all of this behavior. My question is – if I stop this behavior, will my face get back to normal? – anonymous
Dear anonymous,
Thank you for your question. It is true that hypertrophy of the salivary glands is common in bulimia nervosa, occurring up to 50 percent of patients. (Chewing and spitting is different from bulimia yet similar in this aspect.)
The severity of the swelling is directly related to the frequency of the vomiting (or spitting). Abstinence from vomiting/spitting alone will lead to the resolution of the swelling in most cases. Hot compresses and tart candies can aid in the resolution of the swelling.
More severe cases have been successfully treated with a medication, Pilocarpine, but this medication can have side effects. I highly recommend that you seek help with a physician and a therapist. The eating disorder can affect more than just the salivary glands and can have effects on multiple organs in the body and can cause extreme electrolyte imbalances. Check out our “Finding Treatment” section for info and resources on getting the help you need. Thank you for your question.
Tom Scales, MD