Medical Complications of Eating Disorders

The following is a list of possible medical complications that accompany Eating Disorders. If left untreated the physical complications from practicing an eating disorder can become life threatening.

CARDIOVASCULAR

	Slow pulse
	Low blood pressure
	Electrocardiogram abnormalities
	Hypovolemia
	Myocardiopathy and CHF (especially with use of ipecac)

CHEMISTRIES

	Uric acid elevated
	Cholesterol is abnormal (elevated or depressed)
	Carotene is elevated
	Deficiencies of trace minerals
	Low blood glucose
	Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis

DENTAL AND MOUTH

	Increased dental caries
	Highly sensitive teeth from gingival deterioration
	Pyorrhea
	Lacerations and contusions of the oral cavity from use of objects to induce emesis
	Tooth Loss
	Erosion of enamel
	Altered bite
	Bleeding gums
	Oral sensitivity

DERMATOLOGIC

	Dry skin
	Loss of subcutaneous tissues and fat in general
	Scars (such as on knuckles due to inducing emesis)
	Fine lanugo hair
	Acrocyanosis

EFFECTS ON BRAIN AND CNS

	Lack of REM sleep
	Affected hypothalamus (lower body temperature, loss of shivering response, cold intolerance, and malfunction of entire temperature regulating system) due to chronic malnutrition
	EEG abnormalities

ENDOCRINE

	T-3 deficiency (leading to bradycardia, sluggish reflexes, dry skin, cold intolerance, hypercarotenemia, and various abnormalities of the hair)
	Abnormal calcium levels and symptoms
	Hypogonadism
	Partial diabetes insipidus condition and the inability to concentrate urine normally
	Addisons disease or hyperaldosteronism

FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE ABNORMALITIES

	Effects of resultant metabolic alkalosis, potassium and chloride deficiencies
	Electrolyte Imbalance
	Skeletal muscle weakness
	Diminished reflexes
	Abnormal gastrointestinal motility
	Cramps
	Paresthesia
	Polyuria and oliguria
	Nocturia
	CNS abnormalities
	Constipation
	Cardial effects (conduction abnormalities, irregular rhythms and sudden death)
	Impaired kidney function
	Emotional lability and lassitude
	Potassium increase due to diuretic abuse causing cardiac abnormalities
	Depletion of sodium (hyponatremia)
	Dehydration
	Hyponatremia
	Edema

GASTROINTESTINAL

	Abdominal pain, bloating, and fullness
	Esophageal perforations and lacerations (Mallory-Weiss Syndrome)
	Irritable bowel syndrome
	Ulceration of the bowel
	Malabsorption of nutrients leading to hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and calcium deficiency
	Fatty infiltration of the liver
	Pancreatitis
	Exacerbation of hemorrhoids
	Esophagitis
	Melanosis coli
	Gastritis
	Gastric ulceration
	Intestinal injury

GYNECOLOGIC

	Menstrual irregularity
	Amenorrhea
	Infertility
	Atrophic vaginitis and loss of sexual appetite
	Breast atrophy

HEMATOLOGIC ABNORMALITIES

	Anemia
	Leukopernia
	Thrombocytopenia
	Bone marrow may be deficient or hypocellular

OPHTHALMOLOGIC

	Transient blurred vision
	Dark circles, puffiness under the eyes

ORTHOPEDIC AND MUSCULOSKELETAL

	Osteoporosis
	Loss of muscle mass leading to muscular weakness

PULMONARY

Aspiration pneumonia

RENAL

	Prerenal and renal azotemia due to diminished renal pertusion and chronic dehydration
	Tubular and collecting system abnormalities due to electrolyte abnormality
	Predisposition to renal stones
	Kidney failure

MISCELLANEOUS

	Bacterial and fungal infections
	Bilateral parotid gland swelling

 

Rader Programs has brought together an experienced multidisciplinary team that is able to address the medical complications associated with eating disorders. Each client’s medical treatment is individually managed by a team of experienced eating disordered physicians, physician’s assistants, registered dietitians and around the clock registered nurses.

For more information or to arrange for a free confidential consultation, call

800-841-1515