How dangerous are the long-term effects of anorexia?

Doctor's Answers 1

What is anorexia nervosa (AN?)

AN is a disorder characterised by:

  • the preoccupation with body weight and food,
  • behaviour directed toward losing weight,
  • peculiar patterns of handling food,
  • weight loss,
  • intense fear of gaining weight,
  • disturbance of body image, and amenorrhoea.

Although the mortality from AN has diminished during the past 10 years, it is the highest among all psychiatric disorders. The death rate remains between 5% and 18%. The most frequent causes of death are abnormal heart rhythm with sudden cardiac death, seizures, bleeding from the gut, kidney failure and infections.

Physical consequences of not treating AN

Prolonged periods actively engaging in behaviours associated with anorexia can result in damaging consequences that affect the body and the mind. The longer the body and brain are starved of crucial nutrients, the more eating disorder symptoms are exacerbated, such as poor body image, fear of eating, and more.

Chronic malnutrition

The dangers of prolonging treatment for anorexia are the resulting effects from long-term engagement in these eating disorder behaviours. Chronic malnutrition that results from severely restricting caloric intake can lead to brain damage and general organ failure. Many individuals who have suffered from anorexia chronically have also experienced some degree of gastrointestinal distress, including severe bloating, constipation, indigestion, malabsorption, early satiety and more.

Chronic dehydration and malnutrition can drastically affect other vital organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys. In fact, many individuals who struggle with anorexia may present with heart failure or cardiovascular complications; however, anorexia is usually the underlying cause.

Bone and muscle loss

Other physical side effects include bone and muscle loss, which results when the body is not receiving adequate nutrition to sustain the body. The brain actually shrinks due to lack of nutrition with a commensurate lowering of IQ. The skeletal system is damaged, especially if the anorexia occurs in adolescents before the bones are fully developed. Nearly 90% of women with anorexia experience osteopenia (loss of bone calcium) and 40% have osteoporosis (more advanced loss of bone density), creating an increased risk of breaks and fractures. This bone loss is usually permanent.

Damage to the heart

Perhaps the most endangered organ in the body is the heart. In fact, the most common cause of death in anorexics is heart disease. Much of this is related to muscle deterioration. As the body strives to maintain life, it starts consuming its own muscle; in effect, it starts eating itself. The heart is not immune.

Amenorrhoea and infertility

Amenorrhoea (cessation of menstruation) can appear before noticeable weight loss has occurred. Poor sexual adjustment is frequently present in anorexic patients. Many adolescent anorectic patients have delayed psychosocial sexual development, and adults often have a markedly decreased interest in sex with the onset of anorexia nervosa.

Because the entire hormonal system is compromised by starvation, infertility often results and can be permanent. Other long-term effects for women include loss of normal menstruation, difficulties conceiving, infertility and more. A woman with anorexia may struggle for a prolonged period of time with getting pregnant and seek out infertility treatments without addressing the underlying cause of the eating disorder.

Anorexia can negatively affect your social well-being

A person with anorexia will also experience debilitating mental health effects after a chronic battle with anorexia. This might include concurrent anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and other behavioural health issues. Anorexia also impacts a person in other aspects of their lives as well, including relationships, ability to connect to others socially or maintain a job successfully.

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