Physical effects of eating disorders

Physical effects of eating disorders

Eating disorders can wreak havoc on one’s internal organs and overall physical health and well being. The effects of an eating disorder, when let untreated, can result in permanent physical disability.

The physical effects may vary depending on the type of eating disorder the patient exhibits, but the more common include:

Malnutrition – This is common to all people with eating disorders. People with eating disorders whether anorexia, bulimia or compulsive eating will suffer from a deficiency of micronutrients that can contribute to severe health problems including kidney failure, cardiac arrest and even death. Malnutrition is caused by inadequate intake or digestion of nutrients.

Electrolyte Imbalances – Electrolyte imbalances disrupt the body’s ability to ensure healthy bones, teeth, nerve and muscle impulses and blood sugar levels to name a few. Electrolytes also help deliver oxygen to the cells. Severe electrolyte imbalances may lead to hyponatremia, or excess retention of sodium in the body, which can result in brain swelling and even death in severe cases.

Muscle Atrophy/Impaired Muscle Function – This results when the muscles waste away because there are a lack of adequate nutrients in the body to support muscle growth and function.

Esophageal Problems – Tearing or scarring of the esophagus is common in patients who induce vomiting. Gastrointestinal bleeding or gastric rupture, where the stomach erodes or ruptures sometimes accompany this problem. Patients with esophageal problems may also experience bleeding inside of the stomach.

Ketoacidosis – Build up of high levels of acids in the blood that may cause the body to burn fat to get energy, and is typically the result of starvation, dehydration or purging.

Acid Reflux Disorders – This happens when partially digested items in the stomach drift into the esophagus, leading to damage of the esophagus and increasing a patient’s chance for developing esophageal cancer.

Osteoporosis – This is a debilitating and often painful condition caused by thinning of the bones. Typically osteoporosis occurs when the body’s bone mass is depleted due to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.

Liver Failure – Constant fasting can result in liver failure. Fasting can increase the chances that the liver will fail over time. In addition, the lack of regular menstruation and constant state of dehydration may lead to liver failure in eating disordered patients.

Heart Problems – Patients with eating disorders may suffer from a number of heart problems including bad circulation, slowed heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest. These effects are often the result of electrolyte imbalances or hormonal imbalances.

Hormonal Imbalances – Hormonal imbalances may lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, fat deposit accumulation and high cholesterol.

Depression – Patients with eating disorders commonly suffer from depression, mood swings and other psychological disorders. These can be brought about as a result of electrolyte imbalances, via nutrient deficiencies or even dehydration.

Digestive Problems – Eating disorders can disrupt the digestive enzymes, so that the body is unable to properly digest and absorb food. Thus even when the person eats normally, their body is not able to absorb the nutrients from the food they are eating. There are many diseases that can result including Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.

Patients with eating disorders may exhibit a number of other problems as well including:

• Emaciation (a state where the body is too thin and frail).

• Abnormal or absent menstruation (which may lead to infertility).

• Hair and skin damage (which may lead to hair loss or flaky skin).

• Heart and Kidney problems (typically resulting from malnourishment).

• Neurological or cognitive damage (including depression or anxiety).

• Lanugo (growth of fine downy hair on the body).

• Edema (excessive swelling on body tissues).

• Paralysis (due to muscle atrophy).

• High Blood Pressure (the result of cardiac problems).

• Low Platelet Count (again the result of cardiac problems).

• Diabetes (over time the body may fail to maintain it’s ability to regulate sugar levels).