A team approach to treating eating disorders
If you or a loved one has an eating disorder, it often takes a team of professionals to treat it. That’s because an eating disorder can affect physical health, mental health and relationships — and can have life-threatening consequences.
At St. Charles Health System in Central Oregon, eating disorder treatment may include medical care, nutritional support and counseling provided by a team of professionals like the ones listed here:
Primary care doctors
Treatment often starts with a primary care doctor who sees signs or symptoms of an eating disorder that may include:
- Inadequate food intake leading to weight that’s too low (anorexia)
- Intense fear of weight gain and persistent behavior to prevent weight gain
- Consuming large amounts of food followed by self-induced vomiting (bulimia)
- Self-esteem overly related to body image
The role the primary care doctor may have in treatment includes:
- Managing the physical signs and symptoms of an eating disorder
- Planning care, often including other team members
- Teaching the entire family about eating disorders
- Monitoring progress throughout treatment and recovery
Dietitian
A dietitian is a nutrition expert with special training in eating disorders. This team member’s role may include:
- Finding nutrition problems caused by the eating disorder
- Developing an eating plan to ensure the right amount of calories and nutrients
- Monitoring eating patterns and weight
- Helping to foster healthy eating habits
Treating an eating disorder is a team effort. If you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, call St. Charles Health System at 541-706-3752. When it comes to treating eating disorders, our experts are here to help.
At St. Charles Health System in Central Oregon, experts diagnose and treat patients with eating disorders for the best possible outcomes.
