Compassionate Medical Care for Adults and Teens with Eating Disorders

When it comes to eating disorders, comprehensive medical care matters 

Dr. Sally Daganzo and her team are passionate about providing compassionate and accessible medical care that aids patients through the recovery process to achieve overall wellbeing.

With the severe scarcity of physicians trained in the treatment of eating disorders, Dr. Daganzo and her team are committed to providing expert care that address the whole person with compassion and understanding.

Eating disorders are unique among mental illnesses due to their association with life-threatening medical complications. The detrimental effects of progressive malnutrition, purging behaviors, and blood chemistry abnormalities lead to considerable instability in the body's vital organs and systems. This jeopardizes the overall well-being and functioning of individuals afflicted with these disorders.  

Therefore, when treating eating disorders, it is necessary to take a comprehensive medical approach that encompasses both psychological and medical interventions.

Medical treatment plays an integral role in the recovery of those with eating disorders because it addresses several core components of their condition. In addition to providing monitoring for physical health issues, a comprehensive care plan should include routine laboratory testing, electrocardiograms (ECG’s), and medication management.

Dr. Daganzo’s team works closely with patients entire treatment team including therapists, dietitians, and any other physicians to ensure all areas are addressed to support long-lasting recovery. 

Meet Dr. Sally Daganzo

Dr. Daganzo established her practice to fill a void in the medical community. Complete care, serving individuals physically and mentally, is rare in healthcare. As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, she brings her lifelong learning and passion to every patient relationship.

Virtual & In-Person Care Available

Dr. Sally Daganzo offers outpatient eating disorder medical treatment in California & Hawaii.

Overview of Eating Disorders & Common Medical Complications

  • Anorexia Nervosa has three distinct features that help medical professionals to recognize the disorder. First, an individual restricts their calories relative to what their body requires. Second, there is an immense fear of weight gain. Third, a form of body dysmorphia is present. Some of the health complications that Anorexia can cause are (but are not limited to):

    • Shortness of breath

    • Low immune system

    • Insomnia

    • Anxiety

    • Cerebral (brain) atrophy

    • Nutrient deficiencies or malnutrition

    • Cardiac problems, such as arrhythmias and heart failure

    • Demineralization of bones

    • Risk of Refeeding Syndrome

  • The hallmark of Bulimia Nervosa is binge eating and purging. Purging is an individual’s attempt to eliminate colairc intake and avoid weight gain from the binge. Purging can be any of the following: vomiting, extreme exercise, laxatives, and even insulin misuse. Bulimia causes many of the same health conditions as Anorexia, as well as problems such as:

    • Heartburn

    • Sore throat

    • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

    • Vomiting blood

    • Hemorrhoids

    • Severe & unpredictable electrolyte derangements

  • Binge Eating Disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. This doesn’t look like eating one too many cupcakes. Binge Eating Disorder is excessive overconsumption of food paired with extreme guilt or disgust about the behavior. Common health complications that result from Binge Eating Disorder can include:

    • Hypertension

    • Joint pains

    • Sleep apnea

    • Hyperlipidemia

    • Heartburn

    • Medical Trauma

  • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can look similar to Anorexia, with similar complications, but the intention behind the restrictive eating is different. ARFID is often seen in clients with neurodiverse style brains such as Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder, sensory processing dysfunctions and people on the autism spectrum. It can also stem from a traumatic event around food, such as a choking episode.

  • Many of the eating disorders listed above also have an atypical counterpart. When an eating disorder is atypical, it is much more likely to be dismissed. This may be because of clinical misconceptions and stereotypes about how someone with a given eating disorder should appear. It may also be that the shorter timeframe the individual has been suffering from the eating disorder. Signs to watch out for are significant weight loss or weight gain in a short time, purging or excessive time in the bathroom during or after meals, more time alone or exercising.

FAQs About Eating Disorders

  • While disordered eating and eating disorders fall on the same spectrum, they are distinct conditions. Left untreated, disordered eating can serve as a trigger for the development of an eating disorder. Disordered eating manifests in various ways, such as skipping meals, grazing, rigid dieting, arbitrary nutrition rules, "orthorexia", calorie counting, and relative energy deficiency in sport (REDS). Notably, REDS is frequently observed in athletes, and teenagers who are still growing face an elevated risk due to their high energy demands, which they struggle to meet.

    Addressing disordered eating promptly is crucial, considering it often precedes the onset of an eating disorder. Disordered eating alone inflicts physical and emotional harm, but eating disorders inflict far more extensive damage to both our bodies and minds. Presented below is an overview of some prevalent eating disorders that individuals commonly battle.

  • The media often perpetuates a misconception that individuals with eating disorders are always extremely thin. However, this is not always the case. People battling eating disorders can be of varying weights, and all different sizes. It is crucial to recognize the different attributes of eating disorders in order to accurately diagnose and effectively treat them. At Dr. Sally Daganzo’s practice, we look beyond the number on the scale to focus on symptoms and achieving health goals.

Ready to make your first appointment?

Book an initial brief consultation with Dr. Sally Daganzo today.