Physical Symptoms of Eating Disorders: Disease Hurts the Whole Body

People with anorexia and other eating disorders tend to hide their behaviors - sometimes making it difficult for others to notice that there is a serious problem. In a previous article, I went over emotional symptoms, but physical symptoms are just as pressing. The average person's body, when it drops significantly below its minimum "healthy" weight (going by height-weight charts), begins to undergo some very dangerous physical symptoms. They are telltale signs that malnourishment and an eating disorder are taking their toll. Although it's commonly thought that the digestive system will be most affected by eating disorders, symptoms affect the entire body, sometimes fatally.

In the nervous system, malnourishment will lead to an imbalance of brain chemistry - a lack of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and other endorphins cause symptoms such as depression, anxiety and irrational fear. Granted, these symptoms already exist, but the deficit in these neurotransmitters only contributes further to the problem. Foods such as fish, tomatoes, bananas and dates can counteract depression.

Hair thinning and hair loss is another common symptom. This is caused by a vitamin deficiency - vitamins A, the B group, C and E specifically. A is responsible for producing sebum, which is the substance that keeps the scalp healthy and fertile for hair growth. The vitamin B group is the nutrient from which humans get most of the necessary amino acids, second only to protein. As far as hair is concerned, amino acids help to maintain the follicles (the cells from which the hair grows) at a healthy state. Vitamins C and E control the hair's blood supply and oxygen levels, respectively. (Vitamins for Healthy Hair, 2005, About.com)

Low heart rate, low blood pressure, heart palpitations and other disorders of the circulatory system will arise as the result of extreme malnourishment, Overall fatigue and weakness occur as well - these are caused by anaemia, a deficiency of iron in the red blood cells. Iron is responsible for enabling the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. The heart doesn't have the strength to pump blood strongly or to keep a steady rhythm. This also explains low blood pressure.

Stomach and other digestive problems such as constipation occur because not enough food is being eaten to produce stool. The intestines work by peristalsis, like the esophagus. If the stool isn't large enough, it can't be moved along the intestines (assuming they have the strength to do so in the first place), and stool hardens over time, making it more difficult to pass. Bloating also occurs, due to water retention.

Hormonal problems in women are noticeable as well - the calcium deficiencies will cause amenorrhea (three consecutive months without a menstrual cycle). and difficulties in becoming pregnant even if the menstrual cycle is still intact. If the woman in question is already pregnant, she has a higher chance of miscarriage or having to resort to a C-section.