What are the physical findings typically observed in patients with anorexia?

The physical findings in patients with anorexia nervosa typically include dry skin and emaciation. Individuals suffering from anorexia often experience significant weight loss due to self-imposed starvation, leading to a dangerously low body mass index (BMI). This weight loss tends to result in emaciation, characterized by extreme thinness and a lack of adipose tissue.

Moreover, the skin may become dry and flaky because of prolonged malnutrition, dehydration, and hormonal changes associated with starvation, such as reduced estrogen levels in females. This combined effect of nutritional deficiencies impacts the overall health of the skin and can lead to the appearance of being gaunt or frail.

It is also significant to note that while swollen parotid glands, calluses on hands, and erosion of tooth enamel can be observed in individuals with anorexia or related eating disorders, they are more commonly associated with bulimia nervosa or other situations of purging. For instance, swollen parotid glands are more associated with the cyclical vomiting or regurgitation seen in bulimia due to the effects of recurrent vomiting. Calluses on the hands can be a result of self-induced vomiting, often referred to as "Russell's sign," while erosion of tooth enamel is also linked to