What are 3 health risks associated with anorexia?

Complications
  • Anemia.
  • Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure.
  • Bone loss (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures.
  • Loss of muscle.
  • In females, absence of a period.
  • In males, decreased testosterone.
  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or nausea.


What are five health consequences of anorexia?

Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower. Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones. Muscle loss and weakness. Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.

Which is the most serious health risk from anorexia nervosa?

The most serious risk of anorexia is death. In fact, about 10% of people with anorexia will die because of their eating disorder [2]. Like we said, anorexia is one of the deadliest mental illnesses. People with anorexia who have died tend to pass away due to starvation, heart problems, or suicide [2].


What damage does anorexia do to your body?

With weight loss, those with anorexia experience nutritional deprivation, resulting in physical changes in their hair, skin and nails. As starvation occurs, blood flow slows, resulting in intolerance to cold temperatures and a bluish tint in the tips of fingers and ears (Brown & Mehler, 2017).

What are 3 characteristics of anorexia?

According to the DSM, anorexics 1) refuse to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for their age and height, 2) experience intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though they are underweight, 3) misunderstand the seriousness of their weight loss, provide undue influence of body weight ...


Health Risks and Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa



What are the 2 main causes of anorexia?

The exact causes of anorexia nervosa are unknown. However, the condition sometimes runs in families; young women with a parent or sibling with an eating disorder are likelier to develop one themselves. Then there are psychological, environmental, and social factors that may contribute to the development of anorexia.

What are the two types of anorexics?

Anorexia falls into 2 general types:
  • Restricting type. People with this type of anorexia nervosa place severe restrictions on the quantity and type of food they consume. ...
  • Binge eating/purging type. ...
  • Atypical anorexia nervosa. ...
  • Physical signs. ...
  • Psychological signs. ...
  • Behavioural signs.


What organs can fail due to anorexia?

If a person with anorexia becomes severely malnourished, every organ in the body can be damaged, including the brain, heart and kidneys. This damage may not be fully reversible, even when the anorexia is under control.


What is a likely long-term consequence of anorexia?

In severe cases, the long-term health risks of anorexia may result in suffering nerve damage that affects the brain and other parts of the body. As a result, these nervous system conditions can include: Seizures. Disordered thinking. Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy)

Does anorexia destroy the brain?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder of undereating, and results in profound nutritional depletion. Weight loss and nutrient deficits affect every organ in the body. While most of these changes are largely reversible, the brain can suffer permanent damage if AN persists without treatment.

Does anorexia shorten lifespan?

For example, statistically, a woman who has had AN since 15 years of age is likely to live 25 years less than predicted for the normal population.


When is anorexia considered serious?

The disorder is diagnosed when a person weighs at least 15% less than their normal/ideal body weight. Extreme weight loss in people with anorexia nervosa can lead to dangerous health problems and even death.

What damage can not eating cause?

If a person continues not to eat, they can have slurred speech, confusion, syncope (fainting), or seizures. Prolonged lack of nutrition can lead to severe weight loss, fatigue, depression, and stomach issues.

What are 4 risks factors associated with anorexia nervosa?

  • Perfectionism. ...
  • Body image dissatisfaction. ...
  • Personal history of an anxiety disorder. ...
  • Behavioral inflexibility.


What is one of the major difficulties with anorexia?

Anorexia is very harmful on the body, and can lead to serious problems such as: Anemia. Heart problems (arrhythmias, slow heart rate, heart failure, and mitral valve prolapse) Low blood pressure.

What are the 2 most common complications of anorexia that can lead to death?

Cardiovascular complications and sudden death

At least one-third of all deaths in patients with anorexia nervosa are estimated to be due to cardiac causes, mainly sudden death.

What happens to your brain when you have anorexia?

Parts of the brain undergo structural changes and abnormal activity during anorexic states. Reduced heart rate, which could deprive the brain of oxygen. Nerve-related conditions including seizures, disordered thinking, and numbness or odd nerve sensations in the hands or feet.


How long can the body survive anorexia?

Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a mortality rate 5 to 16 times that of the general population [1]. Further, less than one-third of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa will recover if the disorder persists after 9 years, even if they received treatment in that time period [2].

What are two physical consequences of anorexia nervosa?

Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones. Muscle loss and weakness. Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure. Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.

Does anorexia have permanent damage?

Brain scans have shown that severe anorexia can lead to structural changes in the brain and cause nerve damage that affects the brain and other parts of the body. Once a person's weight is restored, these changes should return to normal, but in some cases, the damage may be permanent.


When do you get hospitalized for anorexia?

The Academy of Eating Disorders recommends inpatient treatment for anyone at or below 75% of their ideal body weight. This is a general suggestion for medical professionals, not a hard and fast rule.

What happens to your bones when you have anorexia?

Studies suggest that low bone mass is common in people with anorexia and that it occurs early in the course of the disease. Girls with anorexia may be less likely to reach their peak bone density and therefore may be at increased risk for osteoporosis and fracture throughout life.

What's the most serious eating disorder?

Anorexia Nervosa

Experts consider anorexia nervosa to be the most deadly of all mental illnesses because it has the highest mortality rate. For this reason, we can consider it to be the most severe of the 12 types of eating disorders.


What is the full name for anorexia?

Anorexia, formally known as anorexia nervosa, is an eating disorder. People with anorexia limit the number of calories and the types of food they eat. Eventually, they lose weight or cannot maintain an appropriate body weight based on their height, age, stature and physical health.

What are 7 signs of anorexia nervosa?

Here are 9 common signs and symptoms of anorexia.
  • Purging for Weight Control. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Obsession With Food, Calories and Dieting. ...
  • Changes in Mood and Emotional State. ...
  • Distorted Body Image. ...
  • Excessive Exercise. ...
  • Denial of Hunger and Refusal to Eat. ...
  • Engaging in Food Rituals. ...
  • Alcohol or Drug Abuse.