Eating Disorders Physical Signs and Symptoms
Individuals with Eating Disorders may present in a variety of ways.
An Eating disorder May occur without obvious physical signs or symptoms
In addition to the cognitive and behavioral signs that characterize Eating Disorders, the following are possible physical signs and symptoms that can occur in patients with an Eating Disorder as a consequence of nutritional deficiencies, binge-eating, and inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as purging.
GENERAL
- Marked weight loss, gain or fluctuations
- Weight loss, weight maintenance or failure to gain expected weight in a child and adolescent who is still growing and developing
- Cold intolerance
- Weakness
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Dizziness
- Syncope
- Hot flashes, sweating episodes
ORAL AND DENTAL
- Oral trauma/lacerations
- Dental erosion and dental caries
- Perimolysis
- Parotid enlargement
CARDIORESPIRATORY
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Arrhythmias
- Shortness of breath
- Edema
GASTROINTESTINAL
• Epigastric discomfort
• Early satiety, delayed gastric
emptying
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Hematemesis
• Hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse • Constipation
ENDOCRINE
- Amenorrhea or irregular menses
- Loss of libido
- Low bone mineral density and
increased risk for bone fractures
and osteoporosis
- Infertility
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC
- Seizures
- Memory loss/Poor concentration
- Insomnia
- Depression/Anxiety/Obsessive
behavior
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation/suicide attempt
DERMATOLOGIC
- Lanugo hair
- Hair loss
- Yellowish discoloration of skin
- Callus or scars on the dorsum of
the hand (Russell’s sign)
- Poor healing