10 Anorexia Symptoms
Symptom #8: Constipation
Constipation occurs when the bowel movements are infrequent or hard to pass. Some associated symptoms of constipation include abdominal bloating, pain, and the feeling where the bowel movement has yet to be completely passed. Constipation can result in complications such as fecal impaction, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure.
There are many patients with eating disorders who experience severe constipation. Past studies have suggested that constipation in patients with anorexia nervosa may be due to the slow colonic transit. However, newer studies have found that colonic transit usually returns to normal in the majority of anorexia nervosa patients once they start consuming a balanced diet and have a weight maintenance diet for a minimum of three weeks.
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