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Introduction

Anorexia Nervosa: Medical Management

Pages 12-16
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
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The major medical issues in anorexia nervosa are assessment of risk and the management of refeeding. Responsibility for risk assessment will generally be shared by the internist and the psychotherapist; both current medical condition and anticipated behavior must be taken into account. This paper begins with a discussion of the medical consequences of starvation in anorectics, and proceeds to offer suggestions on medical assessment of the individual patient. An argument is then made for the desirability of earlier and ongoing medical assessment, with close collaboration between the internist and the psychotherapist. Finally, the management of refeeding is discussed.

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Author information

Richard A. Lenon

Richard Lenon, MD, is a Palo Alto, California, internist and oncologist. Starvation in cancer patients was an early interest, from which the interest in anorexia evolved.