10 Serious Health Consequences of Anorexia

The consequences of anorexia on the physical and emotional health of the person are so serious that it can produce irreversible effects for the subject who suffers it and therefore endanger their own life.

Anorexia is not simply a phase or stage; it is an eating disorder with a chronic use, which requires specialized treatment and follow-up as it is accompanied by a series of additional complications of both comorbidity and mortality.

The three essential characteristics of anorexia nervosa (AN), according to a classic author (Bruch, 1973), are the distortion in the perception of body image without the person recognizing the progress of their thinness; distorted perception of proprioceptive stimuli; and a general feeling of personal ineffectiveness.

It is a real and serious eating disorder with effects on:

• Physical Health.
• Psychological health.
• Personal relationships.
• Family relationships.

The sooner the person with anorexia finds a professional, the more likely they are to recover. This professional will have to evaluate symptoms, causes and establish a treatment.

Due to the starvation that the body suffers, it lacks the essential nutrients to function normally and the body processes are reduced to conserve energy.

Here are the 10 most serious effects it can have:

1- Psychosocial consequences

Anorexia can have a major impact on a person's quality of life.

The person's day-to-day is affected, as well as their self-esteem, personal relationships, their physical well-being and their day-to-day life..

Also, this eating disorder can be accompanied by obsessive compulsive symptoms..

2- Weakening of the immune system

The process of stopping eating affects most organ systems. Some consequences can be:

• Hypotension.
• Low heart rate.
• Constipation.
• Cardiovascular problems.
• Lack of menstrual periods.

3- Diabetes

High blood sugar levels can occur due to low insulin production.

This can be caused by hormone imbalances, hyperglycemia, or chronic pancreatitis..

4- Psychopathological disorders

Along with anorexia, depression and mood swings can occur due to electrolyte imbalance, vitamin or hormone deficiencies, malnutrition and dehydration..

Depression can be both a consequence and a cause of anorexia. In addition, there is a percentage of people who are born with a genetic predisposition.

Other psychopathological disorders that can occur together with anorexia are:

• Social phobia.
• Generalized anxiety.
• Depression.
• Aggressive behaviors.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Lack of impulse control.

4- Digestive problems

A deficiency in digestive enzymes can lead to an inability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients.

This can lead to absorption problems, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances..

5- Edema

Fluid accumulation can occur in intercellular tissue. The most common are in the abdominal area.

6- electrolyte imbalances

Electrolyte imbalances are important for the production of the body's "natural electricity" that ensures dental, bone, joint, muscle, and kidney health and proper functioning of nerve impulses..

There can be several factors associated with having an eating disorder that can lead to heart problems: poor circulation, arrhythmias, heart attacks, slow heart rate.

Especially potassium deficiency - an electrolyte imbalance - can cause serious problems with the circulatory system, as can dehydration, malnutrition or hypotension.

7- Infertility

It can be caused by loss of the menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalances.

On the other hand, malnutrition and lack of vitamins can make it impossible to carry out a successful pregnancy and therefore cause the child to be born with defects..

8- Osteoporosis

It is produced by the thinning of the bones and a reduction in bone mass, due to the reduction of calcium and proteins.

This increases the risk of bone fractures..

9- Inflammation of the kidneys

Vitamin deficiency, dehydration or low blood pressure can increase the risk of infection in the kidneys, running the risk of permanent damage and making it more likely that their function is malfunctioning..

10- Other consequences

• Hair loss.
• Dry skin and hair.
• Severe dehydration.
• General weakness, fatigue, fainting.
• Low blood pressure and low heart rate.
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• In men, decreased testosterone.