Dangerous Behaviors
Eating disorders can cause very serious medical complications. Below is a list of some eating disordered behaviors and their associated consequences.
Restricting
Consuming fewer calories than the body requires for survival will cause rapid weight loss. In addition to the loss of skeletal muscle, the brain and heart will also waste away. Malnutrition can result from a deficiency in calories, protein, vitamins and/or minerals. Without enough energy to maintain normal function, the body tries to conserve energy by slowing the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, lowering the body temperature, slowing digestion, stopping menstruation and decreasing other physiologic functions. Food restriction can also cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Binge Eating
Binge eating is characterized by the consumption of definitely more food than most people would in a similar situation and length of time. During an episode of binging, people often feel like they are in an altered state of mind - they feel disconnected from their normal selves. Food is eaten quickly and without control. Binge foods are usually high in carbohydrate but can be anything. Some common binge foods are ice cream, cookies, candy, pasta, bread or crackers. Binge eating itself does not directly cause very many health problems. However, if the eating results in obesity, the person will have an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Although rare, it is possible for the stomach to rupture after consuming a larger volume of food than it is capable of holding. This can potentially lead to death.
Self-induced Vomiting
Self-induced vomiting is a form of purging seen in both AN and BN. It is by far the most common form of purging amongst people with bulimia. Studies estimate that, despite purging, an average of 1200 calories are absorbed from a binge. Self-induced vomiting can cause many serious health problems, including:
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Dental carries and erosion of tooth enamel due to stomach acid
- Ruptured esophagus
- Bloody vomit due to esophageal or gastric tearing
- Esophageal relaxation causing regurgitation and spontaneous vomiting
- Calluses on hands from rubbing against teeth when inducing vomiting
Laxatives
Laxatives are used by individuals with EDs to prevent calories from being absorbed. The excretion of feces and water makes the person feel empty. This gives them the impression that the laxatives are an easy way to get rid of calories and lose weight. However, laxatives have little to no effect on caloric absorption.
A lot of water is flushed out of the body with the feces. The water loss also rids the body of very important electrolytes, including potassium, sodium, chloride and hydrogen. Loss of electrolytes can lead to heart arrhythmia, seizures, acute renal failure, muscle weakness and coma. Very low blood potassium levels can even result in death.
A lot of water is flushed out of the body with the feces. The water loss also rids the body of very important electrolytes, including potassium, sodium, chloride and hydrogen. Loss of electrolytes can lead to heart arrhythmia, seizures, acute renal failure, muscle weakness and coma. Very low blood potassium levels can even result in death.
Diuretics
Diuretics are used as another means to rid the body of calories. However, they have no affect whatsoever on calorie absorption. Diuretics flush water out of the body causing dehydration. As with vomiting and laxatives, frequent use of diuretics leads to electrolyte imbalances and associated dangers.
The reduction in weight due to water loss makes the person feel as if the diuretics are an effective form of purging. They may see skin stretched over bones and assume that they have lost weight. Although their weight on a scale might have dropped, it is merely the result of lost water weight.
The reduction in weight due to water loss makes the person feel as if the diuretics are an effective form of purging. They may see skin stretched over bones and assume that they have lost weight. Although their weight on a scale might have dropped, it is merely the result of lost water weight.
Diet Pills
Some patients with eating disorders take appetite-suppressing diet pills, which are relatively ineffective. Phenyl-propanolamine (PPA), the active ingredient in many over-the-counter diet pills, has possible side-effects of insomnia, mood changes, and irritability. Abuse of these diet pills has been associated with neurological problems, seizures, psychosis, renal failure, hypertension and cerebrovascular hemorrhage.
Over-exercise
Excessive exercising is used as a form of purging to burn calories. A consequence of over exercise is bone loss, which is especially a problem in underweight patients with amenorrhea. It can also cause injuries.
Ipecac
Ipecac is a syrup used to induce vomiting after the ingestion of poison. Although it is a dangerous substance, in the case of a poisoning the benefits usually outweigh the risks. Ipecac is used by some people with eating disorders to help them purge. This is a very dangerous practice that can cause cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, heart arrhythmias and, in some instances, sudden death.
Diabetes and Insulin
When we eat carbohydrates, our body releases insulin to keep our blood sugar from getting too high. With certain types of diabetes, the body doesn't produce insulin so it must be supplied manually, usually in the form of injections.
Diabetics who have eating disorders tend not to purge by self-induced vomiting. Instead, some will skip insulin injections as a means to lose weight. Because insulin is a hormone that facilitates energy storage as fat and muscle, a lack of insulin causes fat and muscle tissues to break down. Skipping insulin injections can lead to rapid weight loss.
Please refer to the American Diabetes Association for more information about diabetes.
Diabetics who have eating disorders tend not to purge by self-induced vomiting. Instead, some will skip insulin injections as a means to lose weight. Because insulin is a hormone that facilitates energy storage as fat and muscle, a lack of insulin causes fat and muscle tissues to break down. Skipping insulin injections can lead to rapid weight loss.
Please refer to the American Diabetes Association for more information about diabetes.
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