What is Anorexia
“Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by weight loss, difficulty maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature; and in many individuals, distorted body image.” Anorexia cannot be seen just by looking at a person, but warning signs can persist. General warning signs are restricting calories, avoiding meals, excessively exercising, excessive dieting, and isolation from friends and family. (“Anorexia Nervosa”). People with anorexia tend to think that they don’t have a problem and try to justify their abnormal actions. They think illogically because they continue to destroy their bodies when they know how damaging their habits are. (“Why Girls Starve Themselves : New Research in Anorexia Nervosa References”).
Anorexia Effects on the Body
Anorexia Nervosa has many effects on the body. Malnutrition can cause dizziness or fainting, abdominal pain, thinning hair, dry skin and nails, dental problems, and a poorly functioning immune system. When the body is deprived of nutrients and vitamins, it begins to shut down. (“Anorexia Nervosa”). This can cause many long term effects. One effect is osteoporosis. With osteoporosis, bones lose their density, causing pain and fractures. Bones rely on calcium to give them density and strength and when the body is deprived of calcium, bones become brittle and break. Anorexia can also lead to infertility. Oestrogen, a hormone needed for ovulation, is not produced when the body has a low body fat percentage. Menstrual irregularities also occur with low body fat. When these cycles stop, the body becomes infertile. These cycles will start again with fat gain, but birth defects and miscarriages can occur. (“The Physical Effects of Anorexia”).
Anorexia and Heart Issues
Anorexia can cause the heart to fail. As the body loses muscle, the heart loses muscle as well. The walls begin to thin, heart chambers well, and blood pressure weakens. Thin heart walls can lead to mitral valve prolapse. When blood goes through the body, the mitral valve closes. As the heart walls thin and pressure weakens, the valve struggles to close. This causes blood to go to the upper chamber of the heart to the lower. This can improve with weight gain but tends to linger after recovery. Anorexia can also lead to bradycardia. Bradycardia causes the heart to beat at a slower pace than it should. The heart loses muscle and becomes weak, which makes it difficult to beat normally. The body tries to save energy, slowing heart rate. (Dr. T Jared Bunch, MD). Heart complications occur rapidly and cause hospitalization or death. (“Anorexia: The Body Neglected”).
