The Medical Consequences of Anorexia
By Staff Writer
Anorexia is a life-threatening disease with severe health consequences. The following are a few of the organs and systems affected by this eating disorder:
Heart
When people starve themselves, they also starve the organs and muscles of the body, lowering blood flow and blood pressure and reducing fluid and mineral levels, which can result in an electrolyte imbalance. This imbalance can cause the heart to beat irregularly, which can lead to heart disease and cardiac arrest. Heart disease is the leading medical cause of death for those suffering from anorexia.
Hormones
Hormonal changes are one of the most serious consequences of anorexia. Stress hormones are higher, while growth and thyroid hormones are lower. Reproductive hormones such as estrogen and DHEA are also lower, which can have negative implications for heart and bone health. In women, these hormonal irregularities result in changes or loss of menstruation, which can cause infertility, osteoporosis and other issues. In severe cases, normal menstruation may never return.
Bones
The low estrogen levels associated with anorexia may also cause bone loss (as can high stress hormones and low levels of calcium and other hormones). Many women with anorexia suffer from osteopenia (loss of bone calcium) and about 40 percent experience the more serious loss of bone density, osteoporosis. These risks can be particularly worrisome for adolescents whose bones are still developing. And while weight restoration and regular menstruation help, bone loss may be permanent in some cases.
Digestion
When the body is deprived of nutrients, it conserves energy by slowing down all of its processes, including digestion. Many people with anorexia complain of bloating, constipation and other gastrointestinal problems, both during active phases of the eating disorder and in the early stages of eating disorder recovery.
Nerves
Anorexia can change the structure and activity of the brain. In severe cases, anorexia can lead to nerve damage, possibly resulting in seizures, disordered thinking, and numbness in the hands or feet.
Blood
Starving the body of nutrients often leads to anemia. Other blood problems can include severely low levels of vitamin B12 and pancytopenia, a life-threatening condition that occurs when bone marrow is dramatically reduced.
Other medical issues caused by anorexia may include liver damage, dehydration, reduced immunity, muscle loss and weakness, dry skin, fainting, intolerance to cold, and organ failure. The body can only handle so much deprivation before it shuts down.
In addition to all of these health consequences, anorexia takes a significant toll on the mind. In order to nurture someone with anorexia back to health, eating disorder treatment must include medical monitoring and care while also addressing the whole person – mind, body and spirit.
