Health Risks

The effects of eating disorders are widespread and not just psychological. The body of sufferers is put under a lot of strain which can cause a variety of other health issues: 

Heart Damage

Anorexia

In severe cases of anorexia, sufferers are at the risk of damaging their heart due to a lack of protective fat surrounding it. There is also risk of heart failure due to a loss in muscle mass (of the heart). Many sufferers are anaemic due to their limited intake of nutrients, which results in the heart working less effectively as a pump.

Bulimia

The actions of binge eating and vomiting over a sustained period of time can lead to electrolyte imbalance which is damaging to the heart.

Binge eating disorder

One of the major symptoms of this disorder is obesity, which carries with it an array of health risks. A prominent risk is an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which can result in heart failure.

Image courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Aorta.jpg Image in public domain.

Osteoporosis

This is largely associated with anorexia sufferers due to a lack of calcium intake. Eating Disorder Expert  explains osteoporosis as a decrease in bone mineral density. This leads to brittle bones which are breakable and more susceptible to damage. It is also a result of a lack of oestrogen in females as a result of the absence of their menstrual cycle. 

Dental Problems in Bulimic Sufferers

As a result of constantly vomiting, the enamel on teeth can wear away due to exposure to the acidic stomach contents on a regular basis. Swelling of glands around the mouth, such as the parotid, is also common in bulimic sufferers. 

Fertility Problems

Amenorrhea (lack of menstrual period for three months) is common in anorexic sufferers and is due to insufficient amounts of reproductive hormones as a result of an increase in cortisol levels (these rise in response to a lack of body fat). This can have long term impacts on fertility as ovulation is affected and so the chances of producing healthy eggs are decreased. Obesity (as in binge eating disorder) can also have similar effects on reproductive hormones.

Additionally, people of a dangerously high or low weight are more susceptible to polycystic ovary syndrome, which can have implications on fertility.

 Image courtesy of James Carver-Grenside under a creative commons license.

Each of the disorders discussed can be life threatening if not treated.

For more information concerning the effects of eating disorders on the body, see Eating Disorder Expert.