Learn about Eating Disorders Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Eating Disorders and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that manifest through severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts. While primarily managed by psychiatrists and therapists, an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating the physical complications that arise from these disorders. Conditions like bulimia nervosa can cause significant damage to the throat, esophagus, and salivary glands due to frequent purging. An ENT evaluates these structures using endoscopy, manages complications like esophageal tears or infections, and provides essential care to support the patient's overall recovery. Their involvement is vital for addressing the somatic consequences and ensuring safe physical rehabilitation alongside psychological treatment.

Key Highlights

    ENT specialists provide critical evaluation of physical damage to the throat, esophagus, and salivary glands caused by eating disorders.Procedures like nasal endoscopy or laryngoscopy allow for direct visualization and accurate diagnosis of complications.Management of urgent physical issues, such as esophageal tears or infections, which can be life-threatening.Collaborative care model, working with psychiatrists and nutritionists for a holistic treatment approach.Helps in restoring normal swallowing function and managing chronic sore throat or hoarseness related to purging behaviors.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Persistent hoarseness, sore throat, or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) in a patient with a known eating disorder.
  • Suspected esophageal damage, tears (Mallory-Weiss tears), or strictures from frequent vomiting.
  • Enlarged salivary glands (sialadenosis) often seen in patients with bulimia nervosa.
  • Unexplained oral or dental erosion, which may be linked to acid exposure from vomiting.
  • Evaluation of airway or vocal cord damage due to self-induced vomiting or misuse of ipecac syrup.
  • Recurrent sinus or ear infections potentially linked to disordered eating behaviors affecting the upper respiratory tract.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive review of the patient's psychiatric and medical history related to the eating disorder.
  • Discussion with the patient's mental health team to coordinate care and ensure psychological stability.
  • For endoscopic procedures, the patient may need to fast for several hours beforehand.
  • Informing the patient about the scope of the ENT examination to reduce anxiety and ensure cooperation.
  • Baseline assessment of vital signs and nutritional status.

Risks & possible complications

  • Discomfort, gagging, or minor bleeding during endoscopic examination of the throat or esophagus.
  • Rare risk of perforation (tear) in the esophagus during endoscopy, especially if tissues are weakened.
  • Potential for triggering anxiety or distress related to the eating disorder during the physical examination.
  • Risk of infection at the site of any minor procedure, though this is uncommon.
  • Possible adverse reaction to topical anesthetics or sedatives used during procedures.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Immediate recovery from a diagnostic endoscopy is typically quick, with the patient able to resume normal activities once sedation wears off.
  • For management of complications like infections, a course of antibiotics or other medications may be prescribed.
  • Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing of any physical damage and adjust treatment plans.
  • Continued and close collaboration with the patient's psychiatric and nutritional support teams is essential for long-term recovery.
  • Patients are advised on vocal rest, dietary modifications (e.g., soft foods), and strategies to avoid behaviors that cause physical harm.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (typically outpatient)
  • checked Expected recovery time: Varies widely; diagnostic procedures require 1-2 days, while healing from physical complications may take several weeks to months alongside psychiatric treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering eating disorders in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for eating disorders compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 16 – USD 272 0-1 days (typically outpatient) ~ Varies widely; diagnostic procedures require 1-2 days, while healing from physical complications may take several weeks to months alongside psychiatric treatment. Know More
Turkey USD 121 – USD 2,013 0-1 days (typically outpatient) ~ Varies widely; diagnostic procedures require 1-2 days, while healing from physical complications may take several weeks to months alongside psychiatric treatment. Know More

Top hospitals for Eating Disorders in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ent teams and experience managing patients undergoing eating disorders.

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
  • Icon79 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Patiala

  • IconPatiala, India
  • Icon52 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon129 Doctors

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
  • Icon38 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Jayanagar

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon57 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Hebbal

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon150 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Hebbal

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon150 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
  • Icon41 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

I was a total wreck before...

I was a total wreck before my appointment. First time seeing a doctor on my own and I was convinced it was something serious. Dr. Muthusamy just had this calm way about him. He listened to all my jumbled-up worries, did a quick check, and explained everything in a way that actually made sense. Walked out feeling silly for being so nervous, but mostly just relieved.

ENT Specialists for Eating Disorders

Explore experienced ent specialists who regularly perform eating disorders and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Muthu Kumar s
  • 17 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Gayatri Pandit
  • 22 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Diptarka Bhattacharyya
  • 15 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. J Jayabaskar
  • 10 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shalina Ray
  • 27 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anitha Kumari Am
  • 25 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vijay Rangachari
  • 22 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Alok Banka
  • 19 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ev Raman
  • 44 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Girish Rai
  • 39 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Bathi Reddy
  • 37 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anitha Kumari Am
  • 25 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Satish Nair
  • 30 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Parvinderjit Singh Kohli
  • 21 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vishal Sharma
  • 11 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Praveen Kumar R
  • 15 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mysore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Dathathri Ha
  • 15 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mysore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Arun Raykar N Raykar
  • 20 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shalini Bansal
  • 9 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shanthala Mn
  • 27 Years Experience
  • ENT Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Jayanagar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
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