Emergency and General Hospital Treatment of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (EDs), especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are associated with medical complications that may require treatment in hospital. Such presentations could be due to malnutrition, consequences of refeeding, or ED behavior complications, particularly purging. Complications may constitute medical emergencies at presentation or may become medical emergencies during treatment itself. Therefore, it is of crucial importance in the treatment of EDs to recognize risk constellations from an early stage, to determine when hospitalization is warranted, and to optimize treatment approaches. Optimal refeeding ensures sufficient energy intake, which can be safely managed with adequate medical monitoring and replacement of electrolytes, if required. While hospital care may initially focus on medical stabilization, it must include behavioral and emotional care and is best carried out by an interdisciplinary team.