Eating disorders are about more than just food. Eating disorders are complex mental conditions related to persistent eating behaviours that negatively impact health, emotions and ability to function in important areas of life. Eating disorders can result in various health consequences, especially if food restrictions are involved.
Some of the dangers may be specific to the disorder. For example, in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), the body is unable to get the nutrients it needs to function properly. In an attempt to conserve energy, the body’s natural response is to slow down. Typical symptoms such as a significant decrease in the heart rate and blood pressure are a direct result of this process. Bone density can also be compromised, which weakens bones and can increase the risk for fractures and future osteoporosis/osteopenia.
Other health problems can be associated with more than one type of eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or binge eating disorder (BED). Eating in secret and feeling guilt are not the only consequences of having an eating disorder. There is a myriad of other health problems that develop as a result. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, and teeth and mouth and can lead to serious consequences if not treated timely.
Here we explore how eating disorders affect different areas of the body and overall health and wellbeing of those living with the condition.
Health Consequences of Eating Disorders
Physical Effects
- Eating disorders can manifest physically through your skin, hair, nails and body issues like obesity or anorexia. Dry skin, lost muscle mass, brittle hair and nails, and extreme thinness is some of the common physical symptoms.
- Many people with an eating disorder suffer from malnutrition, which can lead to serious organ damage and even death.
- On the other side of the spectrum, eating disorders can also lead to excessive weight gain or obesity. Binge eating disorders involves uncontrollable overeating that can lead to weight gain and other physical
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that binge eaters who are obese are also at risk for all of the health problems related to obesity, including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, gallbladder disease, and joint and muscle pain.
Cardiovascular Effects
- Anorexia nervosa is usually associated with heart or cardiovascular issues. Consuming fewer calories than you need means that the body starts to break down its own muscles and tissue for fuel. Muscles are some of the first organs broken down, and the most important muscle in the body is the heart. When it does not get enough fuel to pump blood, or when it starts to break down, the risk for heart failure increases. As the body digests the heart for fuel, it prevents the heart from pumping blood correctly, leading to lowered blood pressure and less circulation.
- Bulimia may also result in heart failure as purging depletes your body of important chemicals called electrolytes.
- Purging by vomiting or abusing laxatives loses the electrolyte potassium which plays an important role in helping the heartbeat and muscles contract. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.
- Other electrolytes, such as sodium and chloride, can also become imbalanced by purging or by drinking excessive amounts of water.
Gastrointestinal Effects
- Developing eating disorders also result in gastrointestinal issues and discomforts. Stomach pains, bloating, nausea and vomiting are some of the symptoms.
- Slowed digestion or gastroparesis can interfere with a person’s normal stomach emptying and the digestion of nutrients.
- Vomiting can wear down the esophagus and cause it to rupture, creating a life-threatening emergency. When someone makes themselves vomit over a long period of time, their salivary glands under the jaw and in front of the ears can get swollen. This can also happen when a person stops vomiting.
- Binge eating can cause the stomach to rupture, creating a life-threatening emergency.
- People with eating disorders can also experience Intestinal obstruction, perforation, or infections, such as Mechanical bowel problems, Intestinal obstruction or a blockage that prevents food and water from passing through the intestines, Intestinal perforation, caused by the ingestion of a non-food item that creates a hole in the wall of the stomach, intestines or bowels, infections and more.
- Constipation can also be a result of an eating disorder.
Other gastrointestinal consequences of an eating disorder include blood sugar fluctuations, feeling full after eating small amounts of food, poisoning, and blocked intestines from solid masses of undigested food.
Neurological Effects
- Developing unhealthy relationships with food is one of the hallmarks of eating disorders. Obsessing over food and practising habits of dieting, fasting, erratic eating or starvation can have detrimental effects on your brain. These unhealthy ways can leave the brain without energy it needs to perform its functions.
- This can lead to trouble concentrating, less focus on things you’re doing.
- Eating disorders also lead to neuron disconnections. Neurons use electrolytes (potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium) to send electrical and chemical signals in the brain and body. Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can lead to seizures and muscle cramps. If the brain and blood vessels can’t push enough blood to the brain, it can also lead to fainting or dizziness, especially upon standing.
- Neurons, also known as brain cells, require insulation around them called myelin. Without myelin, the electrical signals from neuron to neuron is cut off or at least restricted. Without adequate ingestion of fats in the diet, the insulation cannot form or be healthy. This damage leads to numbness, tingling, and perhaps long-term neural damage.
Endocrine Effects
- Our body needs hormone to perform its appropriate functions. The fat and cholesterol we eat provide the hormones to stay stable. Without enough fat and calories in the diet, levels of hormones can fall.
- Over time, binge eating can increase the chances that a person’s body will become resistant to insulin a hormone that lets the body get energy from carbohydrates. This can lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
- On the other hand, starving yourself can cause high cholesterol levels.
Apart from the above consequences, eating disorders are also characterized by psychological troubles, such as distorted thoughts, obsessive behaviours, low self-esteem, self-harm, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and risk for suicide.
Eating disorders are real, life-threatening, biologically-influenced medical illnesses and require psychotherapy, nutritional counselling, and other specialized, evidence-based treatments. If you or a loved one is battling an eating disorder, do not hesitate to get professional help.
