Eating Disorders - Complications of Anorexia

Complications of Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a very serious illness that has a wide range of effects on the body and mind. It is also associated with other problems, ranging from frequent flus and general poor health to life-threatening conditions. Some experts believe that it should not be approached as a simple eating disorder but as a serious condition requiring staging according to severity.

At this time no treatment program for anorexia nervosa is completely effective. Recovery rates vary between 23 - 50%, and relapses range from 4 - 27%. Even for those who recover, one study indicated that recovery took 4 - 7 years. Depending on the duration of the study, anorexic patients have reported death rates ranging from 4 - 25%.

Even after treatment and weight gain, many patients continue to display characteristics of the disorder, including perfectionism and a drive for thinness, that could keep them at risk for recurrence. In spite of these very serious findings, this condition has received very little research attention.

According to different studies, the risk for early death is higher for people with the following conditions or characteristics:

• Being younger
• Having bulimia anorexia (twice as high in this group than in the anorexic-restrictor types)
• Being severely low in weight at the time of treatment
• Being sick for more than 6 years
• Having been previously obese
• Having personality disorders
• Having an accompanying severe psychological disorder
• Having a dysfunctional marriage
• Being male (may be due to the fact that men tend to be diagnosed with anorexia later than women)

Hormonal Changes

One of the most serious effects of anorexia is hormonal changes, which can have severe health consequences.

• Reproductive hormones, including estrogen and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are lower. Estrogen is important for healthy hearts and bones. DHEA, a weak male hormone, may also be important for bone health and for other functions.
• Thyroid hormones are lower.
• Stress hormones are higher.
• Growth hormones are lower. Children and adolescents with anorexia may experience retarded growth.