Eating Disorders
- What is an Eating Disorder?
- Warning Signs
- Types of Eating Disorders
- Risk Factors
- Classifying Eating Disorders
- Disordered Eating
- Dieting
- Eating Disorders and Children
- Eating Disorders and Adolescents
- Eating Disorders and Males
- Eating Disorders and Older People
- If You Think You May Have an Eating Disorder
- Treatment Information
- For Health Professionals
- Eating Disorders and Other Health Problems
Physical effects of Anorexia Nervosa
What is Anorexia Nervosa?Physical effects of Anorexia Nervosa
Psychological Effects
Behavioural Effects
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 Updated: March 2009