Medical Complications
The following is a list of possible medical complications that accompany Eating Disorders such as Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating, 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)
Chemistry:
- 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, vomiting)
- Fine lanugo hair (form of hair growth associated with malnutrition)
- Acrocyanosis
Effects on Brain and Central Nervous System:
- 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 such as Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating. 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.