Warning Signs and Health Problems Associated with Anorexia

Those who suffer from anorexia have a distorted body image and an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. These are some of the warning signs of the eating disorder:

■ weight loss of 15 percent or more below the ideal body weight;

■ dieting, when not overweight;

■ perceiving oneself as fat;

■ exercising excessively;

■ being preoccupied with food, dieting, and nutrition;

■ feeling nauseous or bloated after eating small amounts of food;

■ loss of hair; and

■ in the case of women, not menstruating.

Very often, those who experience the extreme weight loss that characterizes anorexia may be hospitalized. By that time, they also may be experiencing a wide range of related health problems. Anorexia taxes the central nervous system, making it difficult to think and concentrate. People with anorexia are apt to be tired, listless, and depressed. Their hair thins. They may start to see fine hair on their face and arms, like babies have.

You may have heard parents tell children that they need to eat healthy foods to grow big and strong. It's true. Anorexia can stunt growth and cause osteoporosis, a progressive loss of bone density. Sexual development also may be stunted and girls may stop having their period.

Anorexia places severe strain on the organs. Kidney problems are common, as are heart problems. The pulse may be slow and become irregular. Blood pressure may drop, which can make a person feel dizzy or faint easily. People with anorexia get cold easily and their lips and fingers may turn blue. They may experience chest pain, and in the worst cases, die from cardiac arrest. The list of health problems goes on to include stomach pains, heartburn, constipation, and dental problems-especially for those who vomit often.

Fact Or Fiction?

You can never lose enough weight.

Fact: People suffering from anorexia look in the mirror and what they see is never good enough. Their friends and family may say they look too thin, but they don't think that's possible. They may look in the mirror and "see" fat where there is none. They typically like to see their bones sticking out.

The idea that it is impossible to be "too thin" is not just wrong, it is deadly. When people fall too far below their ideal body weight, they lose their ability to concentrate and remember things, lack energy, and eventually encounter severe health problems due to organ failure.

Q & A

Question: Is it possible to have anorexia without losing a lot of weight?

Answer: It sounds odd, but someone can have anorexia without any loss of weight. Children who are still growing are expected to increase their body weight. If they diet during those years and grow taller without gaining weight, they may drop below 85 percent of the healthy body weight for the new height, and in that case, be diagnosed with anorexia.