Dangers of Eating Disorders

Medical complications are a frequent result of eating disorders. Individuals with eating disorders who use drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements or urination may be in considerable danger, as this practice increases the risk of heart failure.

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder

Anorexia Nervosa

• Starvation can damage vital organs such as the brain and heart.
  
• To protect itself, the body shifts into "slow gear".
  
  • Monthly menstrual periods stop
    
  • Breathing, pulse and blood pressure rates drop
    
  • Thyroid function slows
  
  
• Nails and hair become brittle.
  
• Skin gets dry, yellows and becomes covered with soft hair called lanugo.
  
• Excessive thirst and urination may occur.
  
• Dehydration contributes to constipation.
  
• Reduced body fat leads to lowered body temperatures and an inability to withstand cold weather.
  
• Mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, and light-headedness also commonly occur in anorexic individuals.

If the disorder becomes severe, patients may lose calcium from their bones, making them brittle and prone to breakage. They also may experience irregular heart rhythms and heart failure. In some patients, the brain shrinks, causing personality changes. Fortunately, this condition can be reversed when normal weight is re-established.

Scientists have found that many patients with anorexia also suffer from other psychiatric illnesses. While the majority have co-occurring clinical depression, others suffer from anxiety, personality or substance-abuse disorders, and many are at risk for suicide. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an illness characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviors, can also accompany anorexia. Individuals with anorexia are typically compliant in personality but may have sudden outbursts of hostility and anger or become socially withdrawn.


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Bulimia Nervosa

• Even those of normal weight, can severely damage their bodies by frequent binge eating and purging.
  
• In rare instances, binge eating causes the stomach to rupture.
  
• Purging may result in heart failure due to loss of vital minerals such as potassium.
  
• Vomiting causes other less deadly, but serious, problems
  
  • The acid in vomit wears down the outer layer of the teeth.
    
  • Scarring occurs on the backs of hands when fingers are pushed down the throat to induce vomiting.
    
  • The esophagus becomes inflamed and glands near the cheeks become swollen.
  
  
• It can lead to irregular menstrual periods.
  
• Interest in sex may diminish.

Some individuals with bulimia struggle with addictions, including abuse of drugs and alcohol, and compulsive stealing. Like individuals with anorexia, many people with bulimia suffer from clinical depression, anxiety, OCD and other psychiatric illnesses. These problems, combined with their impulsive tendencies, place these persons at increased risk for suicidal behavior.
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Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eaters are usually overweight and are prone to the serious medical problems associated with obesity.

• High cholesterol
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Diabetes
  
• Gallbladder disease
  
• Heart disease
  
• Some types of cancer

Individuals with binge eating disorder also have high rates of co-occurring psychiatric illnesses -- especially depression.
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