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Diseases » Disordered Eating » Diagnosis
 

Diagnosis of Disordered Eating

Disordered Eating Diagnosis: Book Excerpts

Diagnostic Tests for Disordered Eating: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about diagnostis of Disordered Eating.


POLYPHAGIA: Ask the Following Questions:
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

  1. Is there associated polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss? The presence of these symptoms would suggest diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism.
  2. Is there associated weight gain? This symptom would indicate that the patient has an insulinoma, Cushing's disease, or idiopathic obesity.
  3. Is there associated anxiety, depression, or other emotional problems? These symptoms would signal that the polyphagia is related to bulimia, hysteria, or other psychic disorder.
  4. Is there associated diarrhea? This would suggest the disorder is related to a malabsorption syndrome, intestinal bypass, or GI fistula.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

The basic workup of polyphagia should include a CBC, sedimentation rate, chemistry panel, thyroid profile, and stool for ovum and parasites.

If diabetes mellitus is suspected, a glucose tolerance test may be done. If Cushing's disease is suspected, a serum free cortisol should be done. If an insulinoma is suspected, plasma insulin or C-peptide levels may be done, or the patient may be hospitalized for a 72-hr fast with frequent blood sugar determinations. If hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, insulinoma, and intestinal disorders have been ruled out, a referral to a psychiatrist would be indicated.

 

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003

Polyphagia: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

  • Exogenous obesity
  • Bulimia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Hypoglycemia
    • Diabetes insipidus in infants
      –On breast milk or formula diet, excessive drinking is misinterpreted as excessive eating
    • Hyperthyroidism or Graves disease
      –Increased metabolic rate, increased appetite, and increased oral intake as well as increased stool output
  • Medications
    –Corticosteroids
    –Cyproheptadine
    –Tricyclic antidepressants
    –Valproic acid
    –Tetrahydrocannabinol
    –Neuroleptics
    • Hypothalamic lesions (hypothalamic –Tumors (e.g., craniopharyngioma)
      –Inflammation/autoimmune
      –Central nervous system infection
      –Head trauma
  • Genetic syndromes
    –Prader-Willi syndrome
    –Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome
    –Kleine-Levin syndrome
  • Cystic fibrosis
    –Malabsorption results in chronic malnutrition, especially of fat

Workup and Diagnosis

  • History
    –Nutritional history/diet recall for 24–72 hour
    –Onset (age, life events) of change in eating behaviors
    –Symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or other psychiatric illness
    –Symptoms of diabetes: Polyuria, polydipsia, wt loss
    –Symptoms of hyperthyroidism or Graves disease: Palpitations, proximal muscle weakness, heat intolerance, ocular symptoms, difficulty concentrating, tremulousness
    –Past medical history, medications
    –Symptoms of brain tumor or infection/injury to CNS: Headaches, visual changes, fever, trauma, mental status changes
    –A history of poor feeding and hypotonia at birth, developmental delay, hypogonadism, and hyperphagia with subsequent obesity suggests Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Physical exam: Height and weight, visual fields, optic disks, visual acuity (brain tumor), proptosis, goiter, lid lag (Graves), syndromic features
  • Labs/studies: Blood glucose; TSH, T4, T3, thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin; genetic testing for Prader-Willi or Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome; simultaneous serum and urine osmolalities may indicate DI; often requires formal water deprivation test
  • MRI of the brain and pituitary

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

POLYPHAGIA: Approach to the Diagnosis
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

Association with other symptoms is the key to a definitive diagnosis of polyphagia. Thus, polyphagia and obesity suggest an islet cell adenoma. Polyphagia with polyuria, polydipsia, weakness, and weight loss suggest hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus.

The laboratory workup should include thyroid function studies, a skull x-ray for pituitary size, glucose tolerance tests, and, possibly, a 48-hour fast with frequent blood sugar determinations. An MRI of the pituitary is the best way to reveal microadenomas.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, 2007

Polyphagia [Hyperphagia]: History and physical examination
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

Begin your evaluation by asking the patient what he has eaten and drunk within the past 24 hours. (If he easily recalls this information, ask about his intake for the 2 previous days, for a broader view of his dietary habits.) Note the frequency of meals and the amount and types of food eaten. Find out if the patient’s eating habits have changed recently. Has he always had a large appetite? Does his overeating alternate with periods of anorexia? Ask about conditions that may trigger overeating, such as stress, depression, or menstruation. Does the patient actually feel hungry, or does he eat simply because food is available? Does he ever vomit or have a headache after overeating?

Explore related signs and symptoms. Has the patient recently gained or lost weight? Does he feel tired, nervous, or excitable? Has he experienced heat intolerance, dizziness, palpitations, diarrhea, or increased thirst or urination? Obtain a complete drug history, including the use of laxatives or enemas.

During the physical examination, weigh the patient. Tell him his current weight, and watch for an expression of disbelief or anger. Inspect the skin to detect dryness or poor turgor. Palpate the thyroid for enlargement.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006

Polyphagia [Hyperphagia]: History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

Begin your evaluation by asking the patient what he has eaten and drunk within the last 24 hours. (If he easily recalls this information, ask about his intake for the 2 previous days, for a broader view of his dietary habits.) Note the frequency of meals and the amount and types of food eaten. Find out if the patient’s eating habits have changed recently. Has he always had a large appetite? Does his overeating alternate with periods of anorexia? Ask about conditions thatmay trigger overeating, suchas stress, depression, or menstruation. Does the patient actually feel hungry, or does he eat simply because food is available? Does he ever vomit or have a headache after overeating?

Explore related signs and symptoms. Has the patient recently gained or lost weight? Does he feel tired, nervous, or excitable? Has he experienced heat intolerance, dizziness, palpitations, diarrhea, or increased thirst or urination? Obtain a complete drug history, including the use of laxatives or enemas.

During the physical examination, weigh the patient. Tell him his current weight, and watch for any expression of disbelief or anger. Inspect the skin to detect dryness or poor turgor. Palpate the thyroid for enlargement.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006

Polyphagia: History
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Begin your evaluation by asking the patient what he has eaten and drunk within the last 24 hours. (If he easily recalls this information, ask about his intake for the 2 previous days, for a broader view of his dietary habits.) Note the frequency of meals and the amount and types of food eaten. Find out if the patient’s eating habits have changed recently. Has he always had a large appetite? Does his overeating alternate with periods of anorexia? Ask about conditions thatmay trigger overeating, suchas stress, depression, or menstruation. Does the patient actually feel hungry, or does he eat simply because food is available? Does he ever vomit or have a headache after overeating?

Explore related signs and symptoms. Has the patient recently gained or lost weight? Does he feel tired, nervous, or excitable? Has he experienced heat intolerance, dizziness, palpitations, diarrhea, or increased thirst or urination? Obtain a complete drug history, including the use of laxatives or enemas.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Polyphagia [Hyperphagia]: History and physical examination
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

Begin your evaluation by asking the patient about his oral intake within the past 24 hours. (If he easily recalls this information, ask about his intake for the 2previous days, for a broader view of his dietary habits.) Note the frequency of meals and the amount and types of food eaten. Find out if the patient's eating habits have changed recently. Has he always had a large appetite? Does his overeating alternate with periods of anorexia? Ask about conditions that may trigger overeating, such as stress, depression, or menstruation. Does the patient actually feel hungry, or does he eat simply because food is available? Does he ever vomit or have a headache after overeating?

Explore related signs and symptoms. Has the patient recently gained or lost weight? Does he feel tired, nervous, or excitable? Has he experienced heat intolerance, dizziness, palpitations, diarrhea, or increased thirst or urination? Obtain a complete drug history, including the use of laxatives or enemas.

During the physical examination, weigh the patient. Tell him his current weight, and watch for his reaction. Inspect the skin to detect dryness or poor turgor. Palpate the thyroid for enlargement.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007

POLYPHAGIA: Approach to the Diagnosis
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

Association with other symptoms is the key to a definitive diagnosis of polyphagia. Thus, polyphagia and obesity suggest an islet cell adenoma. Polyphagia with polyuria, polydipsia, weakness, and weight loss suggest hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus. The laboratory workup should include thyroid function studies, a skull x-ray for pituitary size, glucose tolerance tests, and, possibly, a 48-hour fast with frequent blood sugar determinations. An MRI of the pituitary is the best way to reveal microadenomas.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, 2007


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