Eating Disorders: Screening and Diagnosis

If you suffer from an eating disorder, you are not alone. Since the 1970s, the number of people diagnosed with an eating disorder has increased dramatically. There is no longer the shame or stigma that was once attached to this often debilitating and serious disorder. If you suspect you may be suffering from an eating disorder, here is what you can expect in terms of screening and diagnosis.

When you first visit your doctor, he or she will first conduct a complete physical examination. Your doctor will ask you several questions regarding your medical history, your body image, and eating habits. The doctor will want to know whether you are participating in self-induced vomiting, whether you are using laxatives to facilitate weight loss, whether you are taking part in an obsessive exercise routine or diet, and how you perceive your body image. These symptoms, along with a full account of your eating habits, are necessary to make a positive diagnosis.

The doctor will also take a full physical examination to determine if you are experiencing any side effects due to the presence of an eating disorder. Eating disorders can cause a number of serious health complications, including heart problems, reduced bone density, irregular bloating, anemia, gum and dental problems, and may even trigger menstrual cycle irregularities. Depending on the patient, the doctor may choose to perform any number of tests to determine the extent of damage. One of the most common tests the doctor may order is a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is important because it can detect a number of health problems, including the presence of anemia and iron deficiency.

The doctor may also order an electrocardiogram. An electrocardiogram gauges the electrical impulses in the heart. This procedure can help spot irregularities, including irregular hearth rhythms and the presence of heart damage. Placing electrodes onto the surface of the patient's chest allows the doctor to measure the pattern of electrical impulses emitted by the heart. The electrodes are connected to a machine that allows the doctor to view the electrical impulses, and they are recorded on a graph for further study. Another type of test that the doctor may order is a chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can produce a picture of the heart that can reveal whether an eating disorder has damaged the heart muscles. One of the most serious side effects of anorexia is that it can potentially damage the heart by reducing the size of the heart muscles. Another imaging test that the doctor may order included a computerized tomography scan (CT scan). This test can reveal any damage incurred by the brain or digestive tract.

Many doctors will also order a bone density test. A device known as a sonometer may be used to produce sound waves throughout the body to measure the density of the bones. Eating disorders can often cause loss of bone density. Most doctors will also order extensive blood tests to test the health of various vital organs, and to test blood levels of important hormones and enzymes.