Anorexia Complications
Topic Overview
Almost half of people who have
anorexia nervosa will eventually develop symptoms
(binge-purge behaviors) of another eating disorder called
bulimia nervosa.1
Long-term or severe anorexia also can cause
serious medical complications, such as:2
- Osteoporosis, which results from a lack
of calcium in the diet as well as too much cortisol and too little estrogen in
the body. The teenage years are critical bone-building years.
- Joint injuries, from too much
exercise.
- Fractures,
which are common in female athletes who have an eating disorder and also have
osteoporosis and irregular menstrual cycles (known as the female athlete
triad).
- Anemia.
- Kidney function problems, often caused by ongoing
dehydration or abuse of laxatives.
- Heart problems, such as a slow or
irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and low blood
pressure (hypotension).
- Cavities or
tooth decay.
If left untreated, many of these conditions
can lead to death. Up to 15 out of 100 people who have anorexia will eventually die
from complications of malnutrition or from suicide.1
But restoring healthy eating habits and good nutrition may reverse many of
the complications of anorexia.
References
Citations
- Agras WS (2008). The eating disorders. In DC
Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 13, chap.
9. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.
- Sigel EJ (2011). Eating disorders. In WW Hay et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics, 20th ed., pp. 159–170. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | W. Stewart Agras, MD - Psychiatry |
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| Last Revised | August 25, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
August 25, 2011
Agras WS (2008). The eating disorders. In DC
Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 13, chap.
9. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.
Sigel EJ (2011). Eating disorders. In WW Hay et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics, 20th ed., pp. 159–170. New York: McGraw-Hill.
