Imagine you are a family physician. You see an 18-year-old with a lower-than-normal body weight and teeth that have been eroded by acid. Your diagnosis is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combination of a lower-than-normal body weight and erosion of teeth by acid points towards bulimia, an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging (e.g. induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives). Anorexia, on the other hand, is characterized by severe restriction of food intake leading to low body weight without a binge-purge cycle. Ulcer of the small intestine, pancreatitis, and liver failure are less likely causes of these symptoms. However, it is important to conduct thorough medical evaluations and history-taking to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

Imagine You Are a Family Physician