Eating Disorders - fieldi

Medical Aspects of Anorexia and Bulimia 15
Irregular or even absent menstrual periods occur in many women
with bulimia, even those of adequate weight. Some studies show
increased fetal risks to women afflicted with eating disorders during
pregnancy. Such patients clearly require special care.
Up to 20 percent of women with bulimia have problems with
alcohol or drug abuse. Often patients are already in recovery by the
time they come for eating disorder treatment. Obviously, however,
those with active substance abuse as well as bulimia have a whole
additional set of medical risks. Inhospital treatment can be especially
useful in this situation.
Both anorexia and bulimia have specific physical dangers. Both
require careful medical monitoring. Some patients will feel quite ill,
others deceptively well. All should have a physical examination,
blood tests, usually an electrocardiogram, and other studies as
appropriate. Although one hopes that this exam and all the tests will
be normal, we know that this in no way shows the patient to be free
of medical danger. Medical treatment is geared to averting some of
these risks, lessening symptoms, and promoting recovery.
References
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Be Induced in Women Recovering from an Eating Disorder or Who Are
Compulsive Exercisers?” Fertility and Sterility 53, no. 3: 566–68.
Becker, A. E., S. K. Grinspoon, A. Klibanski, and D. B. Herzog. 1999. “Eating
Disorders.” New England Journal of Medicine 340, no. 14: 1092–98.
Cooke, R. A., and J. B. Chambers. 1995. “Anorexia Nervosa and the
Heart.” British Journal of Hospital Medicine 54:313–17.
Grinspoon, S., D. B. Herzog, and A. Klibanski. 1997. “Mechanisms and
Treatment Options for Bone Loss in Anorexia Nervosa.” Psychopharmacology
Bulletin 33, no. 3: 399–404.
Greenfeld, D., D. W. Mickley, D. Quinlan, and P. Roloff. 1993. “Ipecac
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Journal of Eating Disorders 13, no. 4: 411–14.
Greenfeld, D., D. Mickley, D. M. Quinlan, and P. Roloff. 1995.
“Hypokalemia in Outpatients with Eating Disorders.” American Journal
of Psychiatry 152:60–63.
Kamal, N., T. Chami, A. Andersen, F. A. Rosell, M. Schuster, and W. E.