- Anemia.
- Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure.
- Bone loss (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures.
- Loss of muscle.
- In females, absence of a period.
- In males, decreased testosterone.
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or nausea.
What is the complication of anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia Nervosa Risks & Complications
Anemia
.
Heart problems
, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure. Bone loss (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures. Loss of muscle. In females, absence of a period.
| Cardiovascular Endocrine and Metabolic | Lanugo hair Hematologic | Starvation-associated pruritis Pancytopenia due to starvation | Gastrointestinal Decreased sedimentation rate | Constipation Neurologic |
|---|
What are three medical complications associated with prolonged starvation?
In the most extreme cases of anorexia, the cumulative effects of long-term starvation (an
irregular heartbeat, edema, bradycardia
, to name a few possible contributing factors) can cause sudden heart failure. Malnutrition has caused the heart to shrink, resulting in decreased cardiac output and low blood pressure.
Which health problem is the most serious complication associated with intractable anorexia nervosa?
Weight loss
is the most common health risk associated with anorexia nervosa. Severe weight loss can set off a series of other serious health risks that can become life threatening.
Can the heart repair itself after anorexia?
Healing the heart after eating disorders
A study in adolescent girls treated for anorexia found that while 35% had bradycardia, 93% had decreased mass in the left ventricle of the heart and 60% had abnormal heart rhythms, weight restoration reversed those structural and functional changes.
What is considered a severe case of anorexia?
End-Stage
anorexia nervosa (AN) is anorexia in its most severe form. Individuals with end-stage AN are severely underweight (BMI of less than 15), are suffering the physical and psychological effects of severe starvation, and require immediate life-saving medical interventions [1].
How much do anorexics weigh?
In terms of weight, for a 5’6′′ female aged 16.5 years — the average age of the participants — this translates to
97.9 pounds
for the typical group and 121.8 pounds for the atypical group.
What is the prognosis for anorexia nervosa?
The prognosis of anorexia nervosa is guarded.
Morbidity rates range from 10-20%
, with only 50% of patients making a complete recovery. Of the remaining 50%, 20% remain emaciated and 25% remain thin. The remaining 10% become overweight or die of starvation.
Can starvation cause liver damage?
Severe starvation can be associated with
acute liver injury
that is slowly reversible with careful enteral nutrition. In this clinical situation, profound hepatic glycogen depletion in association with autophagy appears as the leading cause of liver injury.
What does starvation do to the body?
When the body uses its reserves to
provide basic energy needs
, it can no longer supply necessary nutrients to vital organs and tissues. The heart, lungs, ovaries and testes shrink. Muscles shrink and people feel weak. Body temperature drops and people can feel chilled.
What are 3 physiological changes that occur with anorexia nervosa?
Common signs and symptoms include
loss of subcutaneous fat tissue, orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, impaired menstrual function, hair loss, and hypothermia
. Such symptoms are present within our case. Numerous laboratory measures are affected, among them serum electrolyte levels and thyroid function.
What is orthorexia?
Orthorexia is
an eating disorder characterized by having an unsafe obsession with healthy food
. An obsession with healthy dieting and consuming only “pure foods” or “clean eating” becomes deeply rooted in the individual’s way of thinking to the point that it interferes with their daily life.
How do doctors test for anorexia?
Although
there are no laboratory tests
to specifically diagnose anorexia nervosa, the doctor might use various diagnostic tests, including laboratory values (a blood test), to rule out physical illness as the cause of the weight loss, as well as to evaluate the severity of illness or the effects of the weight loss on …
What happens to your brain when you have anorexia?
Parts of the brain undergo
structural changes and abnormal activity
during anorexic states. Reduced heart rate, which could deprive the brain of oxygen. Nerve-related conditions including seizures, disordered thinking, and numbness or odd nerve sensations in the hands or feet.
Does anorexia make your heart beat faster?
Upon hospitalization, anorexia nervosa patients are often markedly bradycardic, which may be an adaptive response to progressive weight loss and negative energy balance. When anorexia nervosa patients manifest tachycardia, even heart rates in the
80–90 bpm range
, a supervening acute illness should be suspected.
