physical complications of anorexia nervosa

Last reviewed 01/2018

Possible physical features of anorexia nervosa include:

  • emaciation
  • dry skin
  • hair changes e.g. lanugo; hair loss from the scalp
  • hypothermia
  • hypotension
  • ankle oedema
  • sensitivity to cold
  • amenorrhoea
  • there is no loss of axillary or pubic hair, a feature of hypopituitarism
  • constipation, delayed gastric emptying, liver dysfunction
  • bradycardia, palpitations, syncope
  • myopathy, teeth problems
  • nocturia, renal stones
  • difficulty in concentrating (1)

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