Anorexia nervosa

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Food guide pyramid

Eating disorder - anorexia

• Weight loss of 15% or greater below the expected weight
• Inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas, or diuretics (water pills) in an effort to lose weight
• Self-imposed food intake restrictions, often hidden
• Absence of menstruation
• Skeletal muscle atrophy
• Loss of fatty tissue
• Low blood pressure
• Dental cavities may be present with self-induced vomiting
• Blotchy or yellow skin
• Depression may be present in addition to the eating disorder
• Most individuals with anorexia nervosa refuse to recognize that they have an eating disorder (denial)

Diagnosis is based upon ruling out other causes of endocrine, metabolic, digestive, and central nervous system abnormalities to explain the weight loss. This could include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison's disease, and many other possible conditions.

Tests that may be used to assess cause of or damage from weight loss include:

• CHEM-20
• Urinalysis
• Thyroid function tests
• Other blood and urine tests
• ECG

Review Date: 07/25/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.