Anorexia Nervosa

Those who are suffering with this illness have a low self-esteem and often a tremendous need to control their surroundings and emotions. The Eating Disorder, Anorexia, is
a unique reaction to a variety of external and internal conflicts, such as stress, anxiety, unhappiness and feeling lie life is out of control. Anorexia is a negative way to cope
with these emotions. New research indicates that for a percentage of sufferers, a genetic predisposition may play a role in a sensitivity to develop Anorexia, with
environmental factors !eing the trigger.
The person suffering with Anorexia may !e a!normally sensitive a!out !eing perceived as fat, or have a massive fear of !ecoming fat -- though not all people living with
Anorexia have this fear. They may !e afraid of losing control over the amount of food they eat, accompanied !y the desire to control their emotions and reactions to their
emotions. "ith a low self-esteem and need for acceptance they will turn to o!sessive dieting and starvation as a way to control not only their weight, !ut their feelings and
actions regarding the emotions attached. #ome also feel that they do not deserve pleasure out of life, and will deprive themselves of situations offering pleasure $including
eating%.
#ome of the !ehavioral signs can !e& o!sessive exercise, calorie and fat gram counting, starvation and restriction of food, self-induced vomiting, the use of diet pills,
laxatives or diuretics to attempt controlling weight, and a persistent concern with !ody image. #ee Also, #igns and #ymptoms.
't is not uncommon for people suffering with Anorexia to waver through periods of (ulimia $!inging and purging% as well.
't is important to point out that there can !e a num!er of ways a person suffering from Anorexia can portray their disorder. The inherent trait of a person suffering Anorexia
is to attempt to maintain strict control over food intae. 'n a num!er of cases a man or woman suffering will seem to eat normal meals with only periods of restriction.
Anorexics are sometimes nown to eat )un food, particularly candy, to drin a lot of coffee or tea, and*or to smoe. They may deny hunger, mae excuses to avoid eating,
will often hide food they claim to have eaten, use diet pills to control appetite, or attempt to purge the food away with self-induced vomiting, or !y taing laxatives.
(oth Anorexia and (ulimia...There are many similarities in !oth illnesses, the most common !eing the cause. There seems to !e a common occurrence of sexual and*or
physical and emotional a!use in direct relation to eating disorders $though not all people living with Eating Disorders are survivors of a!use%. There also seems to !e a
direct connection in some people to clinical Depression. The eating disorder sometimes causes the depression or the depression can lead to the eating disorder. All in all,
eating disorders are very complex emotional issues -- Though they may seem to !e nothing more than a dangerously o!sessive weight concern on the surface, for most
men and women suffering with an eating disorder there are deeper emotional conflicts to !e resolved.
Diagnostic +riteriaThe following is considered the ,text !oo, definition of Anorexia Nervosa to assist doctors in maing a clinical diagnosis... it is in no way representative
of what a sufferer feels or experiences in living with the illness. 't is important to note that you can still suffer from Anorexia even if one of the !elow signs is not present
$also see the #igns and #ymptoms section%. 'n other words, if you thin you have Anorexia, it-s dangerous to read the diagnostic criteria and thin ,' don-t have one of the
symptoms, so ' must not !e Anorexic,.
- .efusal to maintain !ody weight at or a!ove a minimally normal weight for age and height $e.g., weight loss leading to maintenance of !ody weight less than /01 of that
expected2 or failure to mae expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to !ody weight less than /01 of that expected%.
- 'ntense fear of gaining weight or !ecoming fat, even though underweight.
- Distur!ance in the way in which one-s !ody weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of !ody weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of
the current low !ody weight.
- 'n postmenarcheal females $women who have not yet gone through menopause%, amenorrhea $the a!sence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles%.
- .estricting Type& during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in !inge-eating or purging !ehavior $i.e., self-induced
vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas%
(inge-Eating Type or 3urging Type& during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in !inge-eating 4. purging !ehavior $i.e.,
self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas%
(ulimia Nervosa
5en and women who live with (ulimia see out !inge and purge episodes -- they will eat a large quantity of food in a relatively short period of time and then use !ehaviors
such as taing laxatives or self-induced vomiting -- !ecause they feel overwhelmed in coping with their emotions, or in order to punish themselves for something they feel
they should unrealistically !lame themselves for. This can !e in direct relation to how they feel a!out themselves, or how they feel over a particular event or series of
events in their lives. Those suffering with (ulimia may see episodes of !inging and purging to avoid and let out feelings of anger, depression, stress or anxiety. New
research indicates that for a percentage of sufferers, a genetic predisposition may play a role in a sensitivity to develop (ulimia, with environmental factors !eing the
trigger.
5en and women suffering (ulimia are usually aware they have an eating disorder. 6ascinated !y food they sometimes !uy maga7ines and coo-!oos to read recipes,
and en)oy discussing dieting issues.
#ome of the !ehavioral signs can !e& .ecurring episodes of rapid food consumption followed !y tremendous guilt and purging $laxatives or self-induced vomiting%, a
feeling of lacing control over his or her eating !ehaviors, regularly engaging in stringent diet plans and exercise, the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, and*or diet pills and a
persistent concern with !ody image can all !e warning signs someone is suffering with (ulimia. #ee Also, #igns and #ymptoms.
't is important to reali7e that what maes a person (ulimic -- as opposed to Anorexic -- is not the purging, !ut the cycle of !inging and purging. 3urging may !e using
laxatives or self-induced vomiting, !ut there are (ulimics who use other inappropriate compensatory !ehaviors such as compulsive exercise $ie., excessive )ogging or
aero!ics%, to attempt to !urn off the calories of a !inge, or fasting the day following a !inge. 't is not uncommon for a man or woman suffering with (ulimia to tae diet pills
in an attempt to eep from !inging, or to use diuretics to try to lose weight. A sufferer will often hide or ,store, food for later !inges, will often eat secretly and can have
large fluctuations in their weight.
(oth Anorexia and (ulimia...There are many similarities in !oth illnesses, the most common !eing the cause. There seems to !e a common occurrence of sexual and*or
physical and emotional a!use in direct relation to eating disorders $though not all people living with Eating Disorders are survivors of a!use%. There also seems to !e a
direct connection in some people to clinical Depression. The eating disorder sometimes causes the depression or the depression can lead to the eating disorder. All in all,
eating disorders are very complex emotional issues -- Though they may seem to !e nothing more than a dangerously o!sessive weight concern on the surface, for most
men and women suffering with an eating disorder there are deeper emotional conflicts to !e resolved.
Diagnostic +riteria-The following is considered the ,text !oo, definition of (ulimia Nervosa to assist doctors in maing a clinical diagnosis... it is in no way representative of what a sufferer feels or
experiences in living with the illness. 't is important to note that you can still suffer from (ulimia even if one of the !elow signs is not present $also see the #igns and #ymptoms section%. 'n other words, if you
thin you have (ulimia, it-s dangerous to read the diagnostic criteria and thin ,' don-t have one of the symptoms, so ' must not !e (ulimic,.
8% .ecurrent episodes of !inge eating. An episode of !inge eating is characteri7ed !y !oth of the following&
a% eating, in a discrete period of time $e.g., within any 9-hour period%, an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances
!% a sense of lac of control over eating during the episode $e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating%
9% .ecurrent inappropriate compensatory !ehavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting2 misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications2 fasting2 or excessive exercise.
:% The !inge eating and inappropriate compensatory !ehaviors !oth occur, on average, at least twice a wee for : months.
;% #elf-evaluation is unduly influenced !y !ody shape and weight.
0%The distur!ance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa.
a% 3urging Type& during the current episode of (ulimia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
!% Nonpurging Type& during the current episode of (ulimia Nervosa, the person has used other inappropriate compensatory !ehaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, !ut has not regularly
engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
(E A"A.E& A sufferer D4E# N4T need to appear underweight or even ,average, to suffer AN< of these signs and symptoms. 5any men and women with Eating
Disorders appear N4T to !e underweight... it does not mean they suffer less or are in any less danger.
Anorexia*(ulimia
Dramatic weight loss in a relatively short period of time.
"earing !ig or !aggy clothes or dressing in layers to hide !ody shape and*or weight loss.
4!session with weight and complaining of weight pro!lems $even if ,average, weight or thin%.
4!session with calories and fat content of foods.
4!session with continuous exercise.
6requent trips to the !athroom immediately following meals $sometimes accompanied with water running in the !athroom for a long period of time to hide the sound of
vomiting%.
=isi!le food restriction and self-starvation.
=isi!le !ingeing and*or purging.
>se or hiding use of diet pills, laxatives, ipecac syrup $can cause immediate death?% or enemas.
'solation. 6ear of eating around and with others.
>nusual 6ood rituals such as shifting the food around on the plate to loo eaten2 cutting food into tiny pieces2 maing sure the for avoids contact with the lips $using teeth
to scrap food off the for or spoon%2 chewing food and spitting it out, !ut not swallowing2 dropping food into napin on lap to later throw away.
@iding food in strange places $closets, ca!inets, suitcases, under the !ed% to avoid eating $Anorexia% or to eat at a later time $(ulimia%.
6lushing uneaten food down the toilet $can cause sewage pro!lems%.
=ague or secretive eating patterns.
Aeeping a ,food diary, or lists that consists of food and*or !ehaviors $ie., purging, restricting, calories consumed, exercise, etc.%
3re-occupied thoughts of food, weight and cooing.
=isiting we!sites that promote unhealthy ways to lose weight.
.eading !oos a!out weight loss and eating disorders.
#elf-defeating statements after food consumption.
@air loss. 3ale or ,grey, appearance to the sin.
Di77iness and headaches.
6requent soar throats and*or swollen glands.
Bow self-esteem. 6eeling worthless. 4ften putting themselves down and complaining of !eing ,too stupid, or ,too fat, and saying they don-t matter. Need for acceptance
and approval from others.
+omplaints of often feeling cold.
Bow !lood pressure.
Boss of menstrual cycle.
+onstipation or incontinence.
(ruised or calluses nucles2 !loodshot or !leeding in the eyes2 light !ruising under the eyes and on the chees.
3erfectionistic personality.
Boss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.
5ood swings. Depression. 6atigue.
'nsomnia. 3oor sleeping ha!its
+ompulsive 4vereating
3eople suffering with +ompulsive 4vereating have what is characteri7ed as an ,addiction, to food, using food and eating as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill a void
they feel inside, and to cope with daily stresses and pro!lems in their lives.
3eople suffering with this Eating Disorder tend to !e overweight, are usually aware that their eating ha!its are a!normal, !ut find little comfort !ecause of society-s
tendency to stereotype the ,overweight, individual. "ords lie, ,)ust go on a diet, are as emotionally devastating to a person suffering +ompulsive 4vereating as ,)ust eat,
can !e to a person suffering Anorexia. A person suffering as a +ompulsive 4vereater is at health ris for a heart attac, high !lood-pressure and cholesterol, idney
disease and*or failure, arthritis and !one deterioration, and stroe.
5en and "omen who are +ompulsive 4vereaters will sometimes hide !ehind their physical appearance, using it as a !locade against society $common in survivors of
sexual a!use%. They feel guilty for not !eing ,good enough,, shame for !eing overweight, and generally have a very low self-esteem... they use food and eating to cope
with these feelings, which only leads into the cycle of feeling them ten-fold and trying to find a way to cope again. "ith a low self esteem and often constant need for love
and validation he*she will turn to o!sessive episodes of !inging and eating as a way to forget the pain and the desire for affection.
't is important to remem!er that most Eating Disorders, though their signs and symptoms may !e different, share a great num!er of common causes and emotional
aspects.
+ompulsive 4vereating*(inge Eating Disorder signs and symptoms
6ear of not !eing a!le to control eating, and while eating, not !eing a!le to stop.
'solation. 6ear of eating around and with others.
+hronic dieting on a variety of popular diet plans.
@olding the !elief that life will !e !etter if they can lose weight.
@iding food in strange places $closets, ca!inets, suitcases, under the !ed% to eat at a later time.
=ague or secretive eating patterns.
#elf-defeating statements after food consumption.
(lames failure in social and professional community on weight.
@olding the !elief that food is their only friend.
6requently out of !reath after relatively light activities.
Excessive sweating and shortness of !reath.
@igh !lood pressure and*or cholesterol.
Beg and )oint pain.
"eight gain.
Decreased mo!ility due to weight gain.
Boss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.
5ood swings. Depression. 6atigue.
'nsomnia. 3oor #leeping @a!its.
(inge Eating Disorder
5en and "omen living with (inge Eating Disorder suffer a com!ination of symptoms similar to those of +ompulsive 4vereaters and (ulimia. The sufferer periodically goes
on large !inges, consuming an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of time $less than 9 hours% uncontrolla!ly, eating until they are uncomforta!ly full. The
weight of each individual is usually characteri7ed as a!ove average or overweight, and sufferers tend to have a more difficult time losing weight and maintaining average
healthy weights. >nlie with (ulimia, they do not purge following a (inge episode.
.easons for (inge Eating can !e similar to those of +ompulsive 4vereating2 >sing (inges as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill a void they feel inside, and to cope
with daily stresses and pro!lems in their lives. (inging can !e used as a way to eep people away, to su!consciously maintain an overweight appearance to cater to
society-s sad stigma ,if '-m fat, no one will lie me,, as each person suffering may feel undeserving of love. As with (ulimia, (inging can also !e used as self-punishment
for doing ,!ad, things, or for feeling !adly a!out themselves.
A person suffering with (inge Eating Disorder is at health ris for a heart attac, high !lood-pressure and cholesterol, idney disease and*or failure, arthritis and !one
deterioration, and stroe.
Diagnostic +riteria&The following is considered the ,text !oo, definition of (inge-Eating Disorder $(ED% to assist doctors in maing a clinical diagnosis... it is in no way
representative of what a sufferer feels or experiences in living with the illness. 't is important to note that you can still suffer from (ED even if one of the !elow signs is not
present. 'n other words, if you thin you have (ED, it-s dangerous to read the diagnostic criteria and thin ,' don-t have one of the symptoms, so ' must not have it,.
8% .ecurrent episodes of !inge eating. An episode of !inge eating is characteri7ed !y !oth of the following&
a% Eating, in a discrete period of time $eg, within any 9-hour period%, an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time
under similar circumstances2
!% A sense of lac of control over eating during the episode $eg, a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating%.
9%The !inge eating episodes are associated with at least three of the following&
Eating much more rapidly than normal
Eating until feeling uncomforta!ly full
Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
Eating alone !ecause of !eing em!arrassed !y how much one is eating
6eeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or feeling very guilty after overeating
:% 5ared distress regarding !inge eating.
;% The !inge eating occurs, on average, at least 9 days a wee for C months.
0% The !inge eating is not associated with the regular use of inappropriate compensatory !ehaviors $eg, purging, fasting, excessive exercise% and does not occur
exclusively during the course of anorexia nervosa or !ulimia nervosa.
(ehaviors Associated with Eating Disorders
8% #tarvation and restriction of food, calories and*or fat grams sometimes accompanied !y self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics and o!sessive exercise with any food intae, or
without food intae at all.
9% (inge and 3urge episodes - a!normally large intae of food followed !y self-induced vomiting, intae of laxatives or diuretics, o!sessive exercise and*or periods of starvation.
:% 4vereating. (inge Episodes - a!normally large, uncontrolla!le intae of food.
Dangers Associated with and Diseases Triggered or Caused by Eating Disorder Behaviors
Malnutrition - caused !y undereating or overeating. The word malnutrition indicates deficiency for energy, protein and micronutrients $e.g. vitamin A, iodine and iron% either singularly or in
com!ination. 't can cause severe health riss including $!ut not limited to% respiratory infections, idney failure, !lindness, heart attac and death.
Dehydration - caused !y the depletion or lac of intae of fluids in the !ody, or !y restriction of car!ohydrates and fat. .estriction*#tarvation, vomiting and laxative a!use are the primary
causes in sufferers of Eating Disorders. #ymptoms include di77iness, weaness, or darening of urine. 't can lead to idney failure, heart failure, sei7ures, !rain damage and death.
Electrolyte Imbalances - electrolyte are essential to the production of the !ody-s ,natural electricity, that ensures healthy teeth, )oints and !ones, nerve and muscle impulses, idneys
and heart, !lood sugar levels and the delivery of oxygen to the cells.
Hyponatremia $related to ,water-loading,% - as stated a!ove, electrolytes are essential to proper !ody functioning. Drining too much water $more than eight, eight-ounce glasses in less
than twelve hours%, can cause @yponatremia $not enough sodium in the !lood%, especially in someone already malnourished or dehydrated. @yponatremia can cause fluid in the lungs, the
!rain to swell, nausea, vomiting, confusion and even death.
Reeeding !yndrome $related to treatment% - #tarved or severely malnourished patients can undergo life-threatening fluid and electrolyte shifts following the initiation of aggressive
nutritional support therapies. This phenomenon is nown as ,refeeding syndrome, and can occur in patients receiving either enteral $tu!e feeding% or parenteral $intravenous feeding%
nutritional support. To avoid the development of the refeeding syndrome, nutrition support in patients at ris should !e increased slowly while assuring adequate amounts of vitamins and
minerals. 4rgan function, fluid !alance and serum electrolytes $especially phosphorus, potassium and magnesium% need to !e monitored daily during the first wee and less often
thereafter.
"itamin and Mineral Deiciencies
#anugo - $soft downy hair on face, !ac and arms%. This is caused due to a protective mechanism !uilt-in to the !ody to help eep a person warm during periods of
starvation and malnutrition, and the hormonal im!alances that result.
Edema - swelling of the soft tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. 't is most common in the legs and feet of +ompulsive 4vereaters and in the a!dominal area
of Anorexics and*or (ulimics $can !e caused !y Baxative and Diuretic use%.
Muscle Atrophy - wasting away of muscle and decrease in muscle mass due to the !ody feeding off of itself.Impaired $euromuscular %unction - due to vitamin and
mineral deficiencies $specifically potassium%, and malnutrition.
&aralysis - transient $or temporary% paralysis -- extreme weaness of muscles or not !eing a!le to move at all -- +aused !y low levels of potassium, and*or the
degeneration of nerve cells, in the spinal cord or in the !rain, which have !een deprived of essential nutrients. Beft untreated, periods of paralysis may happen more
frequently and more severely, lead to permanent muscle weaness, and even result in death.
Tearing o Esophagus - caused !y self-induced vomitingMallory'(eiss tear - associate with vomiting, a tear of the gastroesophageal )unction)astric Rupture -
spontaneous stomach erosion, perforation or rupture.)astrointestinal Bleeding - !leeding into the digestive tract.
Esophageal Relu* - Acid .eflux Disorders - partially digested items in the stomach, mixed with acid and en7ymes, regurgitates !ac into the esophagus. This can lead to
damage to the esophagus, larynx and lungs and increases the chances of developing cancer of the esophagus and voice !ox. Relu* can sometimes !ecome severe
enough that food cannot !e ept down at all and medical attention should !e sought immediately.Barrett+s Esophagus - associated with +ancer of the esophagus and
caused !y Esophageal .eflux, this is a change in the cells within the esophagus.
Cancer - of the throat and voice !ox $Barynx% due to acid reflux disorders.
Insomnia - having pro!lems falling and*or staying asleep.Chronic %atigue !yndrome - continuous and crippling fatigue related to a weaened immune system.
Hyperactivity - manic !outs of not !eing a!le to sit still.
!welling - in face and chees $following self-induced vomiting%.
Callused or bruised ingers - this is caused !y repeatedly using the fingers to induce vomiting.
Dry !,in and Hair- Brittle Hair and $ails- Hair #oss - cause !y =itamin and 5ineral deficiencies, malnutrition and dehydration.
#ow Blood &ressure- Hypotension (more common in those with Anorexia and/or Bulimia) - cause !y lowered !ody temperature, malnutrition and dehydration. +an cause
heart arrhythmias, shoc or myocardial infarction.
.rthostatic Hypotension - sudden drop in !lood pressure upon sitting up or standing. #ymptoms include di77iness, !lurred vision, passing out, heart pounding and
headaches.
High Blood &ressure- Hypertension (more common in those with Compulsive Overeating and/or Binge Eating Disorder) - elevated !lood pressure exceeding 8;D over
ED. +an cause& !lood vessel changes in the !ac of the eye creating vision impairment2 a!normal thicening of the heart muscle2 idney failure2 and !rain damage.
#ow &latelet Count or Thrombocytopenia - +aused !y low levels of vitamin (89 and 6olic Acid, and*or !y excessive alcohol. 't may also !e an indication of a
suppressed immune system or immune dysfunction.
Disruptions in Blood !ugar #evels - Bow (lood #ugar*@ypoglycemia& can indicate pro!lems with the liver or idneys and can lead to neurological and mental
deterioration.Elevated (lood #ugar*@yperglycemia - can lead to dia!etes, liver and idney shut down, circulatory and immune system pro!lems.
Diabetes - high !lood sugar as a result of low production of insulin. This can !e caused !y hormonal im!alances, hyperglycemia, or chronic pancreatitis.
/etoacidosis - high levels of acids that !uild up in the !lood $nown as etones% caused !y the !ody !urning fat $instead of sugar and car!ohydrates% to get energy. 't can
!e a result of starvation, excessive purging, dehydration, hyperglycemia and*or alcohol a!use $it can also !e a result of uncontrolled or untreated dia!etes%. 't can lead to
coma and death.F<ou do not need to !e dia!etic or alcoholic to end up with Aetoacidosis?
Iron Deiciency- Anemia - this maes the oxygen transporting units within the !lood useless and can lead to fatigue, shortness of !reath, increased infections, and heart
palpitations.
/idney Inection and %ailure - your idneys ,clean, the poisons from your !ody, regulate acid concentration and maintain water !alance. =itamin Deficiencies,
dehydration, infection and low !lood pressure increase the riss of and associated with idney infection thus maing permanent idney damage and idney failure more
liely.
.steoporosis - Thinning of the !ones with reduction in !one mass due to depletion of calcium and !one protein, predisposing to fractures..steopenia - (elow normal
!one mass indicating a calcium and*or vitamin D deficiency and leading to 4steoporosis.F @ormone im!alance*deficiencies associated with the loss of the menstrual cycle
can also increase your riss of 4steoporosis and 4steopenia.
Arthritis $degenerative% - can !e caused !y hormonal im!alances and vitamin deficiencies as well as increased stress on the )oints in individuals who suffering
+ompulsive 4vereating.
TM0 1!yndrome1 and Related TM0 &roblems - degenerative arthritis within the tempero-mandi!ular )oint in the )aw $where the lower )aw hinges to the sull% creating
pain in the )oint area, headaches, and pro!lems chewing and opening*closing the mouth. =itamin deficiencies and teeth grinding $often related to stress% can !oth !e
causes.
Amenorrhea - Boss of 5enstrual +ycle $due to lac of secreting hormone, 4estrogen, !y the ovaries%. Boss of the menstrual cycle can also lead to 4steopenia and
4steoporosis.
Easily Bruising !,in - =itamin Deficiencies that decrease the !ody-s a!ility to heal itself, low !lood pressure, low platelets count and*or extreme weight loss will all lead to
easily !ruised sin that can tae a long time to heal.
Dental &roblems- Decalciication o teeth- erosion o tooth enamel- severe decay- )um Disease - will !e caused !y stomach acids and en7ymes $from vomiting%2
vitamin D and calcium deficiencies, and hormonal im!alance. +an also !e due to the lac of exercise the teeth can get from the process of eating certain foods. Dental
pro!lems can sometime indicate pro!lems with the heart.
#iver %ailure - the liver aids in removing waste from cells, and aids in digestion. <ou cannot live without your Biver. 6asting and taing acetaminophen $drug found in over-
the-counter pain illers% increases your riss for Biver damage and failure. Boss of menstruation and dehydration $putting women at ris for too much iron in their system%,
and chronic heart failure can lead to liver damage or failure.
Bad Circulation- !lowed or Irregular Heartbeat- Arrhythmias- Angina- Heart Attac, - There are many factors associated with having an Eating Disorder that can lead
to heart pro!lems or a heart attac. #udden cardiac arrest can cause permanent damage to the heart, or instant death...electrolyte im!alances $especially potassium
deficiency%, dehydration, malnutrition, low !lood pressure, extreme orthostatic hypotension, a!normally slow heart rate, electrolyte im!alances, and hormonal im!alances
can all cause serious pro!lems with the heart, high !lood pressure, accumulation of fat deposits around the heart muscle, high cholesterol, decreased exercise due to lac
of mo!ility, dia!etes and hormonal im!alances can all lead to serious pro!lems with the heart.
Inertility - the ina!ility to have children. +aused !y loss of menstrual cycle, and hormonal im!alances. 5alnutrition and vitamin deficiencies can also mae it impossi!le to
succeed with a full-term pregnancy, and can increase the chances significantly of a !a!y !orn with !irth defects.&olycystic .varian !yndrome - a study a few years ago
suggested that people with Eating Disorders were at an increased ris for developing 3olycystic 4varian #yndrome $3+4%, and that recovery from the Eating Disorder
should !e part of treatment for 3+4.
&roblems during pregnancy - including potential for high ris pregnancies, miscarriage, still !orn !a!ies and death or chronic illness from minor to severe, in children
!orn $all due to malnutrition, dehydration, vitamin and hormone deficiencies%.
Depression - mood swings and depression can !e cause !y physiological factors such as electrolyte im!alances, hormone and vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition and
dehydration. Biving with the Eating Disorder !ehaviors themselves will cause depression.Depression can also lead the sufferer !ac into the cycle of the Eating Disorder
$or may have initially !een the pro!lem !efore the onset of the ED%. #tress within family, )o! and relationships can all !e causes. There are also a percentage of people
!orn with a pre-disposition to depression, !ased on family history.Can lead to !uicide
#owered body temperature - Temperature #ensitivity - caused !y loss of healthy insulating layer of fat and lowered !lood pressure.
Cramps- bloating- constipation- diarrhea- incontinence - increased or decreased !owel activity.
&eptic 2lcers - aggravated or made more severe !y increased stomach acids, cigarette smoing, high consumption of caffeine or alcohol
&ancreatitis - this is when the digestive en7ymes attac the pancreas. 't can !e caused !y repeated stomach trauma $such as with vomiting%, alcohol consumption or the
excessive use of laxatives or diet pills.
Digestive Diiculties - a deficiency in digestive en7ymes will lead to the !odies ina!ility to properly digest food and a!sor! nutrients. This can lead to mala!sorption pro!lems,
malnutrition and electrolyte im!alances. Diseases that may !e triggered !y a history of an Eating Disorder include& +eliac Disease $gluten sensitivity%, and +rohn-s Disease
(ea,ness and %atigue - caused !y generali7ed poor eating ha!its, electrolyte im!alances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, depression, malnutrition, heart pro!lems.
!ei3ures - the increased ris of sei7ures in Anorexic and (ulimic individuals may !e caused !y dehydration, hyperglycemia or etoacidosis. 't is also possi!le that lesions on the !rain
caused !y long-term malnutrition and lac of oxygen-carrying cells to the !rain may play a role. #45E type of antidepressants can increase the ris of sei7ure and usually carry a warning
against prescri!ing them to people with Eating Disorders, unless the !enefits significantly outweigh the riss.Death caused !y any of the following or any com!ination of the following&
heart attac or heart failure2 lung collapse2 internal !leeding, stroe, idney failure, liver failure2 pancreatitis, gastric rupture, perforated ulcer, depression and suicide.