Physical Signs & Symptoms
People with eating disorders can display many signs that there is a problem including: mental, cognitive and behavioral. Below is a listing of physical consequences resulting from eating disorder behaviors like: restricting, bingeing, purging, laxative or diet pill abuse and over exercising.
***It is important to note that someone with an eating disorder may not display obvious signs that there is a problem. This does not mean they are not in any danger.
AED Eating Disorders Guide to Medical Management
*If you would like to own a copy of this booklet, please
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
*All information on this page has been provided by:
ACADEMY FOR EATING DISORDERS
