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Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Physical Effects
Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Physical Effects
Physical Effects - Anorexia
Most physical symptoms associated with Anorexia Nervosa are related to malnutrition. A person may experience some or all of the following symptoms, which tend to become more severe the longer the disorder remains untreated.
- Dry skin
- Dry or chapped lips
- Poor circulation resulting in pins and needles and/or purple extremities
- Headaches
- Brittle fingernails
- Bruising easily
- Frail appearance
- Endocrine disorder leading to cessation of periods in girls (amenorrhoea)
- Decreased libido; impotence in males
- Reduced metabolism
- Abnormally slow heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Hypotension
- Hypothermia
- Anaemia (iron deficiency)
- Abdominal pain
- Oedema (retention of fluid giving a “puffy” appearance)
- Stunting of height and growth
- Fainting
- Abnormality of mineral and electrolyte levels
- Thinning of the hair
- Lanugo (growth of fine hair layer all over the body to promote warmth)
- Constantly feeling cold
- Zinc deficiency
- Reduction in white blood cell count
- Reduced immune system function
- Pallid complexion and sunken eyes
- Reduction of bone density which results in dry and brittle bones (osteoporosis)
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Tooth decay
Last revision date: Monday, 06 February 2012 10:11
