Eating disorders Flashcards
Features of anorexia nervosa?
Reduced BMI Bradycardia Hypotension Enlarged salivary glands Fear of gaining weight Disturbed body image Calorie restriction Binge eating/purging Laxative abuse
Physiological abnormalities in anorexia nervosa?
Hypokalemia Low FSH, LH, Oestrogen + testosterone Impaired glucose tolerance Hypercholesterolemia Hypercarotinaemia low T3 Amenorrhoea
Risk factors for development of anorexia nervosa?
Female sex Adolescence Obsessive traits Western media Genetic influence Middle/upper social class Family history History of abuse Criticism of weight or eating habits
Factors that make you high risk in anorexia?
Fast rate of weight loss Very low BMI Bradycardia Hypotension Failed squat test
What is anorexia nervosa?
Preoccupation with weight
Fear of fatness
Pursuit of thinness
What is bulimia nervosa?
Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by behaviours aimed at compensating for the binge
At least weekly binges for three months
Patients may not have a low BMI
Risk factors for bulimia?
Female gender Parental/childhood obesity Family history Severe life stressors Parental psychiatric disorder Criticism about body weight Perceived pressure to be thin
Examination findings in bulimia nervosa?
Swollen salivary glands
Oedema
Erosion of dental enamel
Russel’s sign - scratches on back of hand
Risk factors for suicide?
Male
Unemployment
Divorced/widowed
Psychiatric disorder
What is parasuicide?
Deliberate self harm
Epidemiology of self harm?
More common in females
Under age of 45 but particularly 15-25 year olds
High risk of suicidal intent?
Attempts to hide it Planning + preparations Did not seek help post act Dangerous method Suicide note
Management of suicide and self harm?
Hospitalisation if risk is high
