| medical.problems.associated.with.anorexia.and.bulimia
The most common reason for death amongst those
with anorexia is heart failure, while the most common reason amongst those with
bulimia is rupturing in the intestinal area as well as heart failure.
Unfortunately, because eating disorders are constantly glamorized by society, many aren't
even aware of the internal and external damage that inevitably occurs from these
self-destructive demons. Hopefully this list of medical complications will help
you or someone you know see just why it's a grEAT idea to get help ASAP.
.anorexia.
Thermoregulatory problems: Loss of
body fat creates it so that the body has no way of insulating and keeping heat
anymore. For the person with anorexia it seems like everyday, even if it is 85 degrees, is
freezing. This can also be due to electrolyte disturbances from not eating
properly.
Decreased eye movement
Insomnia: Mostly due from electrolytic
disturbances and hormonal problems
Anemia: Poor blood from not enough
iron; causes lack of vitality and problems with bruising frequently
Dental erosion: Yes, your teeth will
rot with anorexia even if you do not purge. Most of those with anorexia do not get enough
calcium in their diets and because of this the body begins to find calcium elsewhere and
takes it out of body parts such as the bones but also the teeth. The teeth are
stripped of the calcium and become weak.
Delayed gastric emptying: The tone of
the stomach area becomes poor and weak so that it cannot produce the power to
push out whatever food the person with anorexia does eat. This can lead to a lot of toxins
building up inside which also weakens the immune system and leaves the person with anorexia
susceptible to many more viruses.
Diarrhea: Also from the delayed
gastric emptying, but can also be because of laxative abuse.
Dehydration
Acidosis:Blood becomes too acidic, which
can lead to other sicknesses
Osteoporosis: Bones become
significantly weakened, leaving the person with anorexia susceptible to broken bones from
just falling out of bed.
Bradycardia: Slow/irregular heart
beat.
Dysrhythmia: Heart out of rythm;
sudden death
Edema: Occurs from not eating properly and
also purging; there is a water retention imbalance which causes the feet and hands
to swell
Ulcers
Amenorrhea: Indicates a failure of
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal interaction to produce cyclic changes in the
endometrium resulting in menses. In other words the periods stop or do not
start. Primary amenorrhea is the absence of menarche by age 16 and Secondary
amenorrhea is the absence of menarche for more than 3 months.
Metabolic problems - Hypocalcemia: Low
blood glucose levels from too low of weight and malnutrition. Signs of this
include listlessness, jitteriness, and seizures.
Lanugo: A soft downy hair/fur begins
to grow to try to insulate heat because the body does not have enough
calories to burn to produce heat.
Decreased cardica muscle, mass chamber
size, and output: This often leads to cardiac arrest
Hypkalemia: Deficiency of potassium
Dry skin
Brittle nails
Weak hair that often falls out: Along
with dry skin and brittle nails this consequence is a result of not enough fat
in the diet.
Urinary tract infections: Decreased
fluid intake is the cause of this.
Loss of potassium: Can result in
diminished reflexes, fatigue, and cardiac arrythmias.
.bulimia.
Thermoregulatory problems: Those with bulimia also
have this problem. Electrolytic imbalances from purging usually cause
the person with bulimia to have erratic temperature changes, so that one minute they are feeling warm and
the next getting shivers and cold chills.
Insomnia: Mostly due from electrolytic
disturbances and hormonal problems
Anemia: Purging wipes out precious
iron from the person with bulimia's system.
Dental erosion: If the person with bulimia does not
come forward about their problem, then most likely their dentist will spot it. The
acid in our intestines that digests our food comes up when the person with bulimia purges,
slowly deteriorating the enamel that protects the teeth. A dentist is able to
spot this easily for the fact that many of them have had
to go through specific courses when in dentistry school, which has given them a list
of problems with the teeth caused specifically from repeated vomiting. The way the food and acid
splash up against the teeth leaves a certain pattern that is the trademark of
repeated vomiting. The constant erosion of the teeth usually leads to the enamel
slewing off, and as a result, lots of cavities. It's not uncommon to hear of someone
with bulimia to end up dealing with more than one root canal in their lifetime.
Ruptured blood vessels in the
eyes
Paratoid swelling: Glands in the
throat and mouth become irritated and swell.
Esophageal tears: The constant heaving
of stomach acid eventually causes the stomach lining to wear off. The added
pressure from purging also adds into this, and the person with bulimia stands a great risk of
tearing their esophagus which leads to hemorraging and even rupturing of the esophagus.
Delayed gastric emptying: The tone of
the stomach area becomes poor and weak so that it cannot produce the power to
push out whatever food someone with bulimia eats. This can lead to a lot of toxins building up
inside the body which also weakens the immune system and leaves the person susceptible to many
viruses.
Chronic diarrhea and/or constipation :
Those with bulimia often abuse laxatives, which can cause them to forever have
diarrhea. In severe cases the person eventually loses all control over their bowels as well, forcing
them to have to wear some form of a diaper.
Dehydration
Acidosis: Blood gets too acidic which
can lead to other sicknesses
Osteoporosis : Bones become
significantly weakened, leaving the person susceptible to broken bones from just
falling out of bed.
Bradycardia: From purging, things
called electrolytes become imbalanced. Electrolytes help control your heart's
beat among other things, and once they are off balance your heart rate will
suffer - most likely dropping too low.
Dysrhythmia: Sudden death from potassium levels being too low.
Edema: Bloating and water
retention
Ulcers: The stomach lining slews off
the more you throw up. Pretty soon the stomach has no protection against its
acids, and the stomach acid starts to burn holes through the stomach. Eventually
an ulcer forms and often becomes infected (think puss and germs - not pretty).
Amenorrhea: Some people think that you
can only lose your period if you are underweight, but this is not true. Purging
can seriously mess up a person's hormones which can lead to missing periods.
Metabolic problems - Hypocalcemia
Hypokalemia
Dry skin
Brittle nails
Urinary tract infections: Dehydration
is common in those with bulimia, and bladder infections can become an often problem.
Loss of potassium : Purging, laxative,
and diuretic abuse is a big factor into this. All three of these things causes vital
fluids to be lost and creates the potassium levels of those with bulimia to drop
dangerously low, setting them up for heart failure.
Chronic sore throat: Not fun to wake
up every morning feeling like you have strep throat.
top
anorexia ||
bulimia ||
signs ||
med. issues ||
laxatives, etc. ||
depression
over-exercise ||
self
mutilation || ocd
|| body views
|| ask for help
|| relapse
prevention ||
"rules" of support || treatment
|| tips
|| faq
|| books
|| net articles
|| links
bulletin board ||
about me ||
rants & raves ||
email me ||
send page to
friend
|