Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are easily missed in the emergency department, because patients may present with either low, normal, or increased BMI. Careful examination for signs of purging and excessive use of laxatives and promotility agents is important. Careful examination for and documentation of dental erosions, posterior oropharyngeal bruising, Russel's sign, and salivary and parotid gland inflammation are clues to the purging behavior. Treatment for AN should include cognitive behavioral therapy with concomitant efforts to treat any psychiatric comorbidities, whereas BN and BED have been successfully treated with fluoxetine and lisdexamfetamine, respectively.
Keywords: Anorexia; Bulimia; Eating disorders; Malnutrition; Purging.
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