The Damage that Anorexia Can Cause

We all know at least a little bit about the eating disorder that is known as anorexia nervosa. It is a disorder which can completely overtake the normal thought process of an effected individual, making them feel worthless and miserable. In this article, we’ll examine some of the damage that anorexia can cause to a sufferer’s body and mind so that you can better tell how dire the disorder truly is.

One of the first things that can happen to the female body when a girl begins to stop eating as much as she should is an interruption of the menstrual period. Before a girl gets so thin that you can tell that anorexia is present, more than likely, they are already not experiencing their period. Some girls may experience their period in irregular cycles when anorexic, or may lose their period altogether. Many recovering anorexics experience problems with fertility that were caused by their lack of proper nutrition.

The bones of someone who is beginning to be anorexic are also affected to a large degree. This is tragic, considering that most cases of anorexia occur when an individual is in the adolescent stage. During this period of growth, proper nutrition is key to proper development. A lack of nutrition can result in decreased bone growth and even osteoporosis, causing the bones to be brittle and frail. If the bones are not fully developed after adolescence, they will likely never be as strong as they should be.

While these side effects can be very damaging to one’s health, the main problem that anorexics inflict upon themselves is the damage that they do to their heart. Since muscle mass is decreased in anorexics, the heart is also affected, as it is a muscle. As the body deteriorates from the condition, the heart will grow weaker and weaker, causing one’s pulse to slow and their blood pressure to sink. An irregular heartbeat can occur and be a truly life-threatening result of a case of anorexia. Studies place the rate of death of anorexics at between five percent and twenty percent, clearly highlighting the risks that someone with the eating disorder may face. Recovering anorexics also face significant health problems as the damage that the disorder can cause is often of a permanent sort. The mental health of someone with a case of anorexia nervosa also suffers. Anorexics are often obsessed with their body image to a point which can cause them to be depressed and have a very low sense of self esteem. Suicide has been known to occur in many cases of anorexia as those with the disorder may feel helpless and alone in their struggle. Many people fail to realize all of the consequences that an eating disorder can have, and they may look to the wayside when someone is afflicted. For that reason, it’s important to address the problem if present in a friend or family member. They are often reaching out for support through their disorder, and compassion and kindness are key to the recovery process.