Can Bulimia Cause Swollen Glands?

It’s estimated that anywhere from 10% to 68% of people who struggle with bulimia develop sialadenosis or an enlargement of the parotid salivary glands.¹

What are the Parotid Glands?

Glands create hormones, tears, milk, sweat, digestive juices, or a number of other fluids.

The parotid glands create saliva. This bodily fluid lubricates the mouth during chewing, starts to digest food, and aids in swallowing.

The parotid glands are the major salivary glands in the body, but they’re not the only ones. In all, the body has six salivary glands, which work in pairs along the mouth and throat. The parotid glands are not the only ones that can be potentially impacted by bulimia nervosa. Some evidence shows that the condition—and, particularly, the self-induced vomiting behavior that often accompanies it—can affect a pair of smaller salivary glands, called the palatal minor salivary glands, causing them to swell.²

How Does Bulimia Impact the Parotid Salivary Glands?

There can be a number of connections between bulimia, swollen glands, and the jaw. One of the biggest causes of parotid gland swelling is self-induced vomiting, which makes these glands overactive. 

The parotid salivary glands are designed to produce saliva to lubricate the mouth and throat for various reasons, including to protect the throat from corrosive stomach acid when vomiting occurs. When self-induced vomiting is happening on a regular basis, this can overtax the parotid glands, potentially causing them to swell in response.

The parotid glands also receive signals from both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. This means they are affected by both “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” responses. 

Parotid gland enlargement can occur when either of these functions is dysregulated, which can happen due to binging and purging cycles. They increase in size or swell to account for increased saliva production.

Long-Term Gland Health Concerns Caused by Bulimia

It is important to understand that sialadenosis, or swelling of the parotid glands, is not the same as parotitis, which is inflammation of the parotid glands. Bulimia does not cause the glands to become inflamed, even though they appear swollen. 

Instead, the behaviors associated with BN cause these glands to become hypertrophic, or larger. But this can lead to further issues.

Enlarged salivary glands can make talking, chewing, and swallowing difficult or painful. It can further exacerbate nutritional concerns and contribute to body dysmorphic tendencies in cases where swollen glands lead to puffy-looking cheeks. Chronic sialadenitis can also alter how the salivary glands naturally drain, increasing the risk of an infection.³

Treatment for Salivary Gland Enlargement Caused by Bulimia

Thankfully, sialadenosis can usually be treated relatively easily. In many cases, the swelling of the glands will naturally subside after eating disorder patients stop self-induced vomiting. 

Hydration, warm compresses, massage, and some over-the-counter pain relievers may help someone manage the discomfort of the condition, as well as help encourage swelling to go down.

However, in some cases, the condition becomes chronic. When this happens, it may take surgery or other invasive procedures to help correct the issue.

How to Find a Recovery Program for Bulimia

By and large, the best way to help treat swollen salivary glands, and particularly swollen parotid glands, is to treat bulimia nervosa itself.

The condition is a serious disorder that can cause many mental and physical health complications. It is important to seek professional help as early as possible to promote a healthy and sustained recovery. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing signs of bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, or other eating disorders, start the conversation about recovery with a medical doctor or mental health professional. Insurance providers can potentially provide additional information, including local treatment centers that may accept that insurance.

Additional resources for finding a recovery program include the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline. The service is available through text, chat, or phone and offers details on programs, resources, and other information on eating disorders, treatment, and recovery. 

The key is to find treatment tailored to you or your loved one’s individual needs. This ensures all physical and mental health issues are addressed, providing you with the needed tools to build a long and healthy life in recovery.