A curated library for patients and families
Evidence-based guides, nutrition resources, and professional organizations to support eating disorder recovery and medical care.
Common Medical Complications of Eating Disorders
- Bradycardia (low heart rate)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Amenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods)
- Constipation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Abnormal Electrolytes (low potassium, sodium and dehydration from purging)
- Abnormal blood counts (low red blood cells, low white blood cells and low platelets)
- Liver test abnormalities
- Sialadenitis (swollen parotid glands from purging)
- Skin and hair changes
- Osteopenia or Osteoporosis (bone loss)
- Edema (swelling)
- Extreme fatigue
- Cognitive difficulties
- And many others…
What do these terms mean?
Select a topic below to read a brief explanation. These are common terms patients and families encounter in eating disorder care.
Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder characterized by restriction of food intake, often due to an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming overweight. Individuals with anorexia often have a distorted body image, and may see themselves as overweight even when they are underweight or emaciated. In addition to physical consequences of malnutrition, individuals with anorexia may experience a range of emotional and psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, and social withdrawal. Anorexia can also have serious medical consequences, including cardiovascular complications, electrolyte imbalances, and bone loss. I work closely with our patients and their families to provide compassionate, individualized care that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of the disorder.
