Effects of anorexia
Anorexia Nervosa is a dangerous disorder with numerous consequences. These include serious health issues that can result in death.
- The low amount of food and calories that an anorexic consumes low amount of food and calories causes serious malnourishment.
- Small meals are not sufficient for growth, development, and protection of the organs from damage caused by the starvation.
- Amenorrhea, the cessation of periods because of low body fat
- Deterioration of muscles
- Stunted or retarted bone development (in children, teens, young adults who are still growing)
- Osteoporosis - loss of bone density, thinning of bones, increaseing bone fractures/disabilty that can last for life
- Digestive problems:slowed metabolism, delayed gastirc (or stomach) emptying, decreased intestinal functioning, constipation, bloating
- Cerebral atrophy - reduced brain size
- Loss of memory
- Inability to concentrate
- Brain seizures
- Constantly feeling cold
- Blue hands and feet
- Hair loss
- Dry, yellow skin
- Low pulse and blood pressure
- Heart deterioration leading to congestive heart failure (possibility of death)
- Anorexics may use laxatives or diuretics to get rid of calories and water weight, but this can mess up electrolyte balance in the body,leaving victims dehydrated and fatigued. Muscles will start to fail, including the heart, which can lead to death
- Death rates for anorexia exceed those of any other eating disorder or psychiatric illness. 6-20% of anorexic patients eventually die from the disease.
- Depression is a factor of anorexia more than 90% of the time and can lead to suicide.
Anorexia in children
Anorexia is becoming more common in children that are younger than 13 years old, and younger anorexics are often more sick. In a study of anorexic children, 80% of 101 children had to be hospitalized. Half of those had to be fed through a tube to live. More than 70% made a recovery after one year.
NEDA symptoms
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) classifies anorexia by four main symptoms:
- Will not keep body weight at or above the lowest normal weight for their age and height
- Has a fear of gaining weight or being fat even if underweight
- Disturbed body image, does not properly interpret body weight or shape. Thinking weight or body shape is important for self-evaluation. Denies that their body weight is low or that they are skinny.
- Loss of menstrual periods (in girls and women)