Complications Of Anorexia

The malnourishment and starvation anorexia causes can be life threatening and could cause medical complications. Complications anorexia could cause consist of;

Cardiovascular (heart) problems. Up to 95 percent of hospitalized anorexic patients have been found to have low heart rates.

·         Myocardial (heart muscle) damage can occur as a result of changes in the heartbeat

·         arrhythmias (a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat)

·         bradycardia (slow heartbeat)

·         hypotension (low blood pressure)

Hematological (blood) problems

·         Mild anemia (low red blood cell count)

·         leukopenia (low white blood cell count)

Renal (kidney) problems

·         Dehydration associated with anorexia results in highly concentrated urine.

·         Polyuria (increased production of urine)

endocrine (hormones) problems

• Amenorrhea (when a menstrual period is missed for three or more months without any other underlying cause
•  Reduced levels of growth hormones are sometimes found on anorexic patients which can cause growth retardation

Skeletal (bones) problems

• skeletal fractures (broken bones).
• osteopenia (decreased bone tissue), usually in mid to late teens
• osteoporosis (bone loss)
• Bone density is often found to be low in females with anorexia
• low calcium intake
• absorption