Anorexia can have dire consequences, both psychologically and physically. Those who suffer from this disease can reach extreme limits of thinness, which put their lives at risk. The same occurs at the level of mental health since the distortion of the body itself is very large, and this is accompanied by alterations in the world around them, leading to the estrangement of all those close to them. The earlier this disease is suffered, the more serious the effects it can cause in the patient, especially if it is before puberty. At FastlyHeal, we describe the consequences of anorexia in detail.
Table of Contents
Consequences
If the disease is suffered before reaching puberty, even if the patient recovers, the physical affectation will have indelible consequences because the lack of nutrition will have irreparably affected growth, slowing down the normal process.
On the other hand, when weight is lost, the layer of fat that cushions external climatic changes is also lost, with which the patient becomes much more sensitive to cold and heat and has drier skin, dull hair, and brittle, weak nails.
But apart from these, there are other possible consequences:
- Cardiovascular: alterations in the heart rhythm because the heart rate decreases and the blood pressure drops, which can lead to dizziness and arrhythmias that can end up causing cardiac arrest and, consequently, death.
- Gastrointestinal: mainly vomiting, diarrhea from laxative abuse, constipation, early satiety, and abdominal pain.
- Blood: as the diet is not adequate, there is a lack of iron, which leads to anemia.
- Hormonal: sometimes, anorexia can lead to temporary loss of menstruation.
- Bone: bones become weak and can break or fracture more efficiently, even osteoporosis.
- Psychic: affective disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders are common, mainly focused on the subject of food.
- Dehydration.
It must be taken into account that anorexia can make the affected person unable to continue with their everyday life due to all the physical and psychological effects discussed. In some cases, they have to be admitted to the emergency room because extreme malnutrition endangers their lives.
Social isolation and recovery
But there are also the social effects; the fact that the patient has an utterly distorted vision of his body and enters a spiral of negative thoughts progressively isolates him from his environment, making social interaction more and more complicated. For this reason, it is a severe disease that gradually comes out, with strict and regular monitoring by doctors. There are many steps to take and a lot of help that a person with anorexia needs to get out of the situation permanently.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to the Consequences of anorexia, we recommend that you enter our category of Mental disorders.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.