Physical Signs Of Eating Disorders

If you have a teenager, there is a good chance that you want to make sure that he or she remains happy and healthy. One main fear that many parents have is that their child is going to develop an eating disorder. If you notice that your child has started to avoid the family around meals and is eating much less than he or she normally was, you might be concerned. Here are some physical symptoms of eating disorders that will allow you to determine if you should take your teen to the family doctor.

1. Fine Hair on Body and Increased Sensitivity to Cold

If you notice that your child has developed a fine layer of hair all over his or her body, then this is a sign that your child is suffering from an eating disorder. A malnourished body is less able to regulate its own body temperature and is going to rely on this extra hair to help keep it warm, rather than heat it internally. This means that your child is likely not eating enough food to that his or her body is able to burn as fuel.

2. Bad Breath

If your child is very skinny and is not eating too much, he or she might develop bad breath. The reason for this foul smelling breath is that his or her body is digesting fats and proteins of the body as a source of fuel, since it is being deprived of its normal fuel source. This is going to result in your teen's breath smelling odd or slightly fruity.

3. Increased Bruising

Your child's body is also going to have a hard time recovering or resisting internal bleeding in the form of bruises. If you notice that your child is much more bruised than usual in areas that commonly brush against furniture, such as the hips, elbows, and shoulders, then you will want to take a closer look at your child's eating habits.

4. Low Resting Heart Rate

Finally, if you see any of the above signs, you will need to check your child's resting heart rate. This means that you have your child sit for a few minutes and then take his or her pulse. If your child's heart rate is 40 beats per minute or below, you will need to take him or her to your family doctor immediately to get a more thorough checkup.

For more information, talk to a family doctor at a clinic like Snow Creek Medical Center.

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