Medical Aspects of Eating Disorders
© Elizabeth S. Ohrich, M.D., Ph. D.
(may be copied for educational purposes only)
Eating disorders patients need a thorough medical evaluation and psychological evaluation to determine whether there could be any other explanation for the physical signs seen on examination and for symptoms reported by the patient. In addition to restrictive eating; vomiting; binge-eating; use of laxatives, diuretics, ipecac, diet pills, and excessive sorbitol, complicating factors include: excessive caffeine use, alcohol and other drugs, and excessive exercise.
| Restrictive Eating- Low Weight Loss
of menstrual periods Slow heart Rate Cold, blue hands and feet Dehydration, dizzy, faint. "Low thyroid" – cold constipated, dry skin, coarse hair Osteoporosis Retardation of growth in height Swelling of feet, legs, hands Congestive heart failure Depression, suicide Kidney stones Decreased kidney function |
Vomiting Dehydration, dizzy, faint Electrolyte problems Irregular heart beat rhythms (arrhythmia's – can be fatal) Muscle weakness Dental- enamel erosion, caries Sore throat, sores in mouth, gums Nasal congestion Increased size of salivary glands Blood nemesis Calluses, scars on hands |
| Laxatives (do not significantly reduce
calorie absorption) Dehydration, dizzy, faint Electrolyte problems Irregular heart beat rhythms (arrhythmia's – can be fatal) Muscle weakness Rectal bleeding Feel constipated when stop laxatives Swelling of feet, legs, hands, when discontinued Depression, suicide |
Diuretics Electrolyte problems Dehydration Irregular heart beat rhythms (arrhythmia's – can be fatal) Muscle weakness
|
| Diet Pills Restlessness, anxiety Elevation in blood pressure Stroke Heart Attack Seizures |
Binge Eating Obesity Swelling of feet, legs, hands Acute stomach dilation; rupture possible Depression, suicide |
| Ipecac Toxic to muscles Toxic to heart – can be fatal Vomiting consequences |
Sorbitol- ("sugar free" gum,
candy) Abdominal distention Abdominal pain Cramps Diarrhea |