The Causes and Complications of Anorexia
Causes of anorexia:
-
Low self-esteem
-
Biochemical factors
-
Psychiatric disorders
|
|
Complications related to anorexia:
- Risk of death from starvation or suicide
- Heart disease—The heart may develop dangerous rhythms,
blood flow is reduced, blood pressure may drop and cholesterol
levels tend to rise.
- Electrolyte imbalance—The dehydration and starvation
of anorexia can reduce fluid and mineral levels, which can be
life-threatening unless fluids and minerals are replaced.
- Reproductive and hormonal abnormalities—Anorexia
causes low levels of reproductive hormones, changes in thyroid
hormones, increased levels of the stress hormones and long-term
irregular or absent menstruation, which may cause sterility and
bone loss.
- Blood problems—Anemia, pernicious anemia
caused by severely low levels of vitamin B12 and a
life-threatening condition called pancytopenia are common among
anorexics.
- Neurological problems—Anorexics may suffer
nerve damage and experience seizures, disordered thinking, loss
of feeling and other nerve problems in the hands or feet.
- Gastrointestinal problems—Bloating and constipation
are both very common among anorexics.
Treatment for anorexia 
Back |
|
|
|
