Consequences of Anorexia
A person with anorexia, also called anorexia nervosa, has an intense fear of gaining weight, thinks about food a lot, and limits the amount of food they eat. With anorexia, you don’t get the energy from foods that you need, so your body slows down. Anorexia affects your whole body and your health in many ways.
- You can’t think right.
- You are sad, moody and irritable.
- You have a bad memory.
- You can faint.
- You have changes in brain chemistry.
- Your hair gets thin and brittle.
- You have low blood pressure.
- You have a slow heart rate.
- Your heart can flutter – heat palpitations.
- You can have heart failure.
- You can have blood problems and anemia.
- Your muscles are weak.
- Your can have swollen joints, bone loss, and fractures.
- You can get osteoporosis.
- You can get kidney stones.
- Your kidneys can fail.
- Your body fluids can be low on potassium, magnesium, and sodium.
- You have constipation, and bloating.
- Your periods stop.
- You stop growing.
- You have trouble getting pregnant.
- If you are pregnant, you have a higher risk for miscarriage, or deliver your baby by C-section, or your baby can have a low birthweight, and you can have post partum depression after your baby is born.
You Can Get Help
Eating disorders can cause serious problems. Getting help early is important!! Treatment involves monitoring, mental health therapy, nutritional counseling and sometimes medicines. Make an appointment to talk with your doctor.