[Somatic complications in anorexia and bulimia nervosa]

Although the pathogenesis and treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have traditionally been discussed in psychological terms, these eating disorders are always accompanied by somatic symptoms, symptoms which may become very serious. Moreover, as the anorexic or bulimic patient seeking medical treatment does not as a rule reveal the self-inflicted nature of her symptoms to the doctor, it is vital that physicians recognize such symptoms as manifestations of eating disorders. The article consists in a review of somatic complications commonly accompanying anorexia and bulimia, and their relationship to different body systems.