Prognosis
There is Hope.
Recovery from an Eating Disorder
Five to 10 years following presentation, approximately 50% of women initially diagnosed with bulimia and/ or anorexia nervosa had fully recovered from their disorder. It is important to note that persons who have been treated for anorexia and/or bulimia continue to receive medical and psychiatric care even when their disease is in remission to prevent a relapse.
Relapse
However after 5 to 10 years of initial diagnosis, nearly 20% of women continue to meet the full criteria for anorexia and/or bulimia nervosa. For patients who are unable to halt the dangerous sequence of dieting, binging, and purging, admission to a psychiatric unit may be necessary to brake the cycle. Psychiatric hospitalization may also be necessary for patients who have severe depression and suicidal thoughts, which are often associated with anorexia and bulimia. Psychiatric hospitalization is also necessary for those who experience a greater than 30% weight loss over 3 months, failure to maintain an outpatient weight contract or are involved in a family crisis.
Admission to a medical facility is necessary for patients with significant electrolyte or metabolic disturbances. It is also necessary for prompt medical treatment in cases such as a Mallory- Weiss tear, esophageal rupture or pancreatitis.
Admission to a medical facility is necessary for patients with significant electrolyte or metabolic disturbances. It is also necessary for prompt medical treatment in cases such as a Mallory- Weiss tear, esophageal rupture or pancreatitis.
Mortality
In most studies for anorexia and bulimia, the incidence of death is approxiamately 1% to 3% of subjects that present with an eating disorder. However, there are limited long range studies (more than 10 years), therefore it is thought the number of deaths due to complications of severe weight loss is underestimated. It is important to note that further long term studies of patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervousa are needed.
Recovery from Dyshagia in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
With prompt and proper medical care from a physician and therapy from a Speech Language Pathologist, a patient who has suffered from Dysphagia caused from Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa can expect a strong, positive prognosis if not a full recovery.
The prognosis from an Mallory- Weiss tear is usually good. Unless there is a problem with blood clotting, the membrane typically heals on its own and generally does not require surgery; however, if continual forceful vomitting or coughing occur the tear may continue to bleed. In severe cases, a patient may hemorrhage.
In the past an esophageal rupture could be very dangerous, even life threatening with mortality numbers reported from 10-40%. Currently, with an aggressive surgical approach to this disorder, including primary surgical repair, aggressive surgical drainage, primary esophageal resection, a survival rate of 97% was reported. It is very important to receive early medical treatment.
However, it is important to note that if a patient with Bulimia is not in remission and continues to purge, permanent damage can occur to the swallowing mechanism and even death can occur.
The prognosis from an Mallory- Weiss tear is usually good. Unless there is a problem with blood clotting, the membrane typically heals on its own and generally does not require surgery; however, if continual forceful vomitting or coughing occur the tear may continue to bleed. In severe cases, a patient may hemorrhage.
In the past an esophageal rupture could be very dangerous, even life threatening with mortality numbers reported from 10-40%. Currently, with an aggressive surgical approach to this disorder, including primary surgical repair, aggressive surgical drainage, primary esophageal resection, a survival rate of 97% was reported. It is very important to receive early medical treatment.
However, it is important to note that if a patient with Bulimia is not in remission and continues to purge, permanent damage can occur to the swallowing mechanism and even death can occur.