Physical Complications from Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by restring food intake. Anorexia, in some psychological condition, is often associated of having a phobia for food. The cause of this eating disorder is not yet known although many factors had been considered in biological, social, and psychological categories. As a general symptom, a patient will refuse to maintain even to have a minimal normal body weight. Since food, the primary nutrition supplier to the body, was taken away, this could result to underweight and malnutrition.

It is important to know that the eating disorder anorexia nervosa doesn’t just end up as it is. In physical complications alone, a number of serious illnesses had been known to follow anorexia nervosa or being associated with it. In the cardiovascular system, insufficient nutrition and repetitive vomiting may be dangerous to heart muscles. As a result, a patient may develop irregular heartbeat, as in the case of arrhythmia and bradycardia, and even very low blood pressure. Blood-related illnesses had also been closely linked to anorexia. Most studies revealed that roughly one-third of anorexic patients also have below normal red blood count and half of them also have below normal white blood count. Stomach and intestine activities are also reduced to below normal among persons who are suffering from anorexia due to eating restriction. This explains extreme loss of weight. The kidney could have also have troubles in concentrating urine. This is an effect of low water intake going together with food. Growth development is also affected as a result low levels of growth hormones due to poor nutrition. Oftentimes, female also experience amenorrhea or stopping of menstrual flow in successive months. Bones of an anorexic person would likely to be easily fractured. It could have been a product of low calcium, the main bone element, intake and even low calcium absorption capacity of the body due to poor nutrition.

All of the above physical complications due to anorexia nervosa are detrimental to health and should be taken seriously. The good thing is that there has been effective treatment for this eating disorder. Daniel Johns should serve as an inspiration to anorexic patients who noticed this illness at a very young age. His struggles and dealing with anorexia ultimately lead him to live a normal life.