Find Your Medication |
Find Your Medication |
New study opens the door for targeting signs of eating disorders
Oftentimes individuals with stomach-related issues do not tell healthcare providers that they have an eating disorder when visiting the doctor or emergency room, and this lack of communication between patient and doctor can lead to a worsened condition.
Oftentimes individuals with stomach-related issues do not tell healthcare providers that they have an eating disorder when visiting the doctor or emergency room, and this lack of communication between patient and doctor can lead to a worsened condition. Because of this dilemma, the emergency nurses and doctors could better prepare for diagnosing eating disorders in patients with stomach-related problems, according to a new study by the University of Michigan (U-M). An unacknowledged visit "They come in for other things - and it's up to health care providers to know what to look for," explained director of the study Suzanne Dooley-Hash, M.D., emergency physician at U-M. "ER teams can be equipped to refer patients for care, just as we do for substance abuse. It could be a wake-up call, a teachable moment, a chance to tell them they need to seek help and direct them to resources." Of the patients admitted, roughly 16 percent displayed signs of an eating disorder. And those who were diagnosed with an eating disorder were also likely to have indicators of depression or substance abuse, conditions that are typically linked to anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. Consistent with past studies of the conditions, people admitted with eating disorders were more than three times more likely to be obese than not - and more than a quarter of the overall patients were males. A nationwide problem The U-M study notes that more research will be needed to find generalized correlations applicable to treating the condition, before ER physicians can provide targeted interventions for those Americans who are more at risk. |
See also ...
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: All medical content and news articles on this website is supplied by an independent third party company. While the information can be useful, this website relies on others for its creation and cannot guarantee the accuracy, medical efficacy, or reliability of the information provided. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professional(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. This website does not provide any medical advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. |