Medical Consequences of Eating Disorders
- Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) associated with decreased body fat, weight loss, stress, excessive exercise and hormonal irregularities, specifically gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
- Death caused by malnutrition, heart attack, organ failure or suicide.
- Osteopenea, osteoporosis (reduced bone density) -- Caused by calcium deficiency and reduced estrogen levels. Supplementation with calcium or estrogen does not increase bone density but may help to lessen bone loss. Bone loss is mostly irreversible. However, with weight restoration, some recovery of bone is possible, especially in adolescents. Early detection is difficult. Can result in stress fractures and vertebra compression.
- Reduced body temperature as a result of the body trying to conserve caloric expenditure. Causes the person to constantly feel cold, even in hot weather.
- Hypotension (low blood pressure - systolic <90 mmHg) as a result of the body trying to conserve caloric expenditure. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop of blood pressure causing dizziness, faintness, blurred vision, passing out, lightheadedness and heart pounding that occurs upon standing.
- Bradycardia (heart rate <60 beats/minute) as a result of the heart trying to conserve caloric expenditure
- Electrolyte imbalances. Loss of potassium, sodium, chloride, and hydrogen can result from frequent vomiting and the use of laxatives and diuretics. Consequences including muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, acute kidney failure, convulsions, cardiomyopathy, seizures, coma, and even death. Complications can occur suddenly and without notice because patients are usually asymptomatic.
- Hypokalemia (low potassium) is especially dangerous and can be life threatening regardless of body weight.
- Muscle wasting caused by caloric restriction and low protein intake. During severe starvation, wasting of the heart muscle will occur.
- Heart attack and heart arrhythmias caused by hypotension, bradycardia, heart muscle wasting, and electrolyte imbalances.
- Kidney damage or failure caused by vitamin deficiencies, dehydration, infection and low blood pressure.
- Liver damage or failure caused by loss of menstruation, fasting, dehydration, and chronic heart failure.
- Dehydration caused by vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics. Can lead to kidney damage.
- Esophageal lesions or rupture due to vomiting. Caused by irritation of stomach acid, sharp textured foods, or from instruments put down throat to induce vomiting.
- Dental erosion caused by exposure to stomach acid and binging on sugary foods
- Laxative dependency due to excessive laxative use. Causes decreased gastrointestinal motility, constipation, loss of calcium from bones, electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and risk of kidney failure
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