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Dangers of an E.D. - MUST READ
 
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Published: 19 y
 

Dangers of an E.D. - MUST READ


Danger Signs and Physical Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
 
Some of the major danger signs in Anorexia Nervosa patients are:

* loss of a significant amount of weight

* continuing to diet although thin

* feeling fat, even after losing weight

* intense fear of weight gain

* preoccupation with food, calories, fat contents & nutrition

* preferring to diet in isolation

* cooking for others

* exercising compulsively

* lying about food

 
Bulimics may not be visibly underweight and may even be slightly overweight. Danger signs

include:

* binging, or eating uncontrollably

* purging by strict dieting, fasting, vigorous exercise, vomiting or abusing laxatives or diuretics in attempt

to lose weight.

* using the bathroom frequently after meals

* preoccupation with body weight

* depression

* mood swings

* feeling out of control

* soar throat

Physical Consequences of Anorexia and Bulimia

More Common In

 

Found In

 
 
  Anorexia Bulimia
Weight Loss    
 
Malnutrition - caused by under eating or overeating. The word malnutrition    
indicates deficiency for energy, protein and micronutrients either singularly or in  
combination. It can cause severe health risks including respiratory infection,  
kidney failure, blindness, heart attack and death.  
 
Dehydration - caused by the depletion or lack of intake of fluids in the body.    
Restriction/starvation, vomiting and laxative abuse are the primary causes in  
victims of eating disorders. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, or darkening  
of urine. It can lead to kidney and heart failure, and even death.  
 
Electrolyte Imbalances    
 
Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies.    
Gastrointestinal Complications
Acid Reflux Disorder - Oesophageal Reflux - damage of the oesophagus,    
larynx and lungs due to the regurgitating of partially digested items in the stomach  
mixed with acid and enzymes. Also increased chances of developing cancer of the  
oesophagus and voice box.  
Barrett's Oesophagus - cancer of the oesophagus due to oesophageal reflux.  
 
Tearing of Oesophagus - caused by self-induced vomiting    
Mallory-Weiss tear - tear of the gastroesophageal junction  
Gastric Rupture - spontaneous stomach erosion, perforation or rupture  
 
Heartburn / Indigestion - often found in bulimics due to the build up of acids in    
the stomach after vomiting.  
 
Cramps, Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Incontinence - decreased    
bowel activity.  
 
Digestive Difficulties - a deficiency in digestive enzymes will lead to the    
bodies inability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients, which can lead to  
malabsorption problems, malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances.  
 
Peptic Ulcers - caused by increased stomach acids.    
 
Pancreatitis - repeated stomach trauma e.g. vomiting or excessive use of    
laxatives or diet pills, can lead to attack of digestive enzymes to the pancreas.  
 
Liver Failure - Fasting increases risks of Liver damage and failure. Loss of    
menstruation and dehydration (causing a dangerous elevation of iron  
concentration in body), and chronic heart failure can lead to liver damage or  
failure.  
 
Dental Problems, Decalcification of Teeth, Erosion of Tooth Enamel,    
severe decay, Gum disease - will be caused by stomach acids and enzymes  
(from vomiting), vitamin D and calcium deficiencies, and hormonal imbalance.  
It can also be due to the lack of exercise the teeth get from chewing. Dental  
problems can sometimes indicate problems with the heart.  
Cardiovascular Complications
Hypotension - caused by lowered body temperature, malnutrition, dehydration and    
a low potassium concentration in the blood due to vomiting. Can cause heart  
arrhythmias, shock or myocardial infarction.  
Orthostatic Hypotension - sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing up  
or standing. Symptoms include dizziness, light headedness, blurred vision, passing  
out, heart pounding and headaches, and are caused by nutritional intake, purging  
and/or laxative abuse, slowed heart rate, malnutrition and dehydration, depression  
and/or stress.  
 
Bad Circulation, Slowed or Irregular Heartbeat, Arrhythmia, Angina,    
Myocardial Infarction - Electrolyte imbalances (especially potassium  
deficiency), dehydration, malnutrition, low blood pressure, extreme orthostatic  
hypotension, abnormally slow heart rate can all cause cardiac problems.  
 
Congestive Heart Failure - rapid glucose-rich hyperalimentation and fluid    
replacement may cause starvation-induced hypophosphataemia and induce  
congestive heart failure.  
 
Lowered Body Temperature - Temperature Sensitivity can be caused by    
loss of healthy insulating layer of fat and/or decreased circulation due to lowered  
blood pressure and slowed heart rate.  
 
Seizures - may be caused by dehydration. Lesions on the brain due to long    
term malnutrition and lack of oxygen-carrying cells in the brain may play a role.  
Renal Complications
Kidney Infection and Failure - Vitamin deficiencies, dehydration, infection    
and low blood pressure increase the risks of kidney infection, and thus  
augment the chances of permanent kidney damage or failure.  
 
Oedema - swelling of the soft tissues as a result of excess water accumulation,    
often in abdominal areas in anorexics and bulimics.  
 
Swelling - swollen glands in neck and face (following self-induced vomiting)    
Haematological Complications
Low Platelet Count or Thrombocytopenia - caused by low levels of vitamin B12    
and Folic Acid, and/or by excessive alcohol. It may also be an indication of a  
suppressed immune system or immune dysfunction.  
 
Hypoglycaemia - indication of liver or kidney problems, and can lead to    
neurological and mental deterioration.  
Hyperglycaemia - can lead to diabetes, liver and kidney shut down, circulatory  
and immune system problems.  
 
Diabetes - caused by hormonal imbalances, hyperglycaemia, or chronic    
pancreatitis.  
 
Ketoacidosis - caused by the body burning fat (instead of carbohydrates) to    
obtain energy. It can result from starvation, excessive purging, dehydration,  
hyperglycaemia, and/or alcohol abuse. It can lead to coma and death.  
 
Anaemia - an iron deficiency affects haemoglobin and therefore oxygen    
transport around the body, leading to fatigue shortness of breath, increased  
infections, and heart palpitations.  
Skeletal Complications
Osteoporosis - depletion of calcium and bone protein causes thinning of bones    
with reduction in bone mass, and predisposes to fractures.  
Osteopenia - below normal bone mass due to calcium and/or vitamin D  
deficiency, and leads to Osteoporosis.  
* Hormone imbalance/deficiencies associated with loss of the menstrual cycle  
can also increase the risks of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia.  
Arthritis (degenerative) - can be caused by hormonal imbalances and vitamin  
deficiencies.  
 
TMJ "Syndrome" and related TMJ problems - Vitamin deficiencies and teeth    
grinding (often related to stress) can both cause degenerative arthritis within the  
tempero-mandibular joint in the jaw, creating pain in the joint area, headaches,  
and problems chewing and opening/closing the mouth.  
 
Muscle Atrophy - wasting away of muscle and decrease in muscle mass due    
to the body feeding off itself  
Impaired Neuromuscular Function - due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies  
(especially potassium), and malnutrition  
Endocrine Complications
Amenorrhoea - the lack of oestrogen secretion from the ovaries causes loss    
of the menstrual cycle, which can lead to Osteoporosis and Osteopenia.  
 
Infertility - loss of menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalances can lead to the    
inability to have children. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies can also make it  
impossible to succeed with a full time pregnancy, and increase chances of a  
baby being born with a birth defect.  
 
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCO)- a study a few years ago suggested that    
people with Eating Disorders were at an increased risk for developing PCO, and  
that recovery from the Eating Disorder should be part of the treatment for PCO.  
* International Council on Infertility  
Metabolic Complications
Weakness and Fatigue - caused by poor eating habits, electrolyte    
imbalances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, depression, malnutrition, heart  
problems.  
Insomnia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Hyperactivity  
 
Lowered Body Temperature - Temperature Sensitivity can be caused by a    
slowed metabolism.  
Dermatological Complications
Callused or bruised fingers - caused by repeated using of fingers to induce    
vomiting.  
 
Dry Skin and Hair, Brittle Hair and Nails, Hair Loss - caused by mineral    
and Vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition and dehydration.  
 
Lanugo (fine body hair on arms, legs, face and back) - caused due to a protective    
mechanism built-in to the body to help keep a person warm during periods of  
starvation and malnutrition, and the hormonal imbalances that result.  
 
Easily Bruising Skin - Vitamin deficiencies that decrease the body's ability to    
heal itself, low blood pressure and extreme weight loss will all lead to easily  
bruised skin that can take a long time to heal.  
Mental Complications
Depression - physiological factors such as electrolyte imbalances, hormone    
and vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition and dehydration, can cause mood swings  
and depression.  
Depression can also lead the victim back into the cycle of the Eating Disorder.  
Stress within a family, job and relationships can all be causes although there is  
a percentage of people born with a pre-disposition to depression.  
Suicide can be a consequence of depression.  
 
Death - caused by any of the following or any combination of the following;    
heart attack or heart failure; lung collapse; internal bleeding, stroke, kidney  
failure, liver failure; pancreatitis, gastric rupture, perforated ulcer, depression and  
suicide.  

Home Page

References

http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session1/group59/consequen.htm
 

 
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