Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

08:26
Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
[Anorexia nervosa and the kidney].
Sabine Schneiter1, Lorenzo Berwert, Olivier Bonny
1Service nephrologie et Consultation d'hypertension, Département de médecine interne, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.
Revue Medicale Suisse
|March 26, 2009
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) can cause severe kidney problems, including electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, potentially leading to kidney failure. Understanding these renal complications is crucial for improving patient treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by intentional weight loss.
- Patients with AN often exhibit significant electrolyte disturbances and altered water metabolism.
- Renal complications are a serious, yet under-recognized, aspect of AN.
Purpose:
- To highlight the spectrum of renal problems associated with anorexia nervosa.
- To underscore the link between AN behaviors and kidney dysfunction.
- To emphasize the need for integrated care addressing both psychiatric and medical aspects.
Summary:
- AN frequently leads to hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyponatremia, and edema due to altered eating patterns and fluid balance.
- Chronic dehydration and hypokalemia are significant risk factors for developing acute and chronic kidney injury.
- End-stage renal disease is a possible outcome in severe, long-standing cases of anorexia nervosa.
Impact:
- Improved recognition of renal manifestations in AN can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention.
- Enhanced understanding of AN's pathophysiology may guide the development of more effective treatments for kidney complications.
- This knowledge can improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality associated with anorexia nervosa.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
