Health Consequences of Anorexia

The cycle of starvation denies the body of essential nutrition. The body is forced to slow down to conserve energy that affects the whole body. The medical consequences include the following:

Brain and Nervous system

• Easily confuses
• Irrational fears
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Poor memory

Hair

• Hair thins, gets brittle
• Hair loss

Heart

• Abnormal slow heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Fluttering of the heart
• Fainting

Blood

• Anemia

Muscles and Joints

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Swollen joints
• Loss of calcium
• Loss of bone density

Kidneys

• Kidney stones
• Kidney failure

Body Fluids

• Low potassium
• Low magnesium
• Low sodium
• Dehydration

Intestines

• Constipation
• Bloating

Hormones

• In females, ammenhoria, loss of menstruation
• Growth problems

Skin

• Dry skin
• Bruise easily
• Easily chilled or cold
• Yellow skin
• Nails get brittle, stop growing