Posted: July 14th, 2022

How Dangerous are Long-term Consequences of Anorexia and Bulimia?

How Dangerous are Long-term Consequences of Anorexia and Bulimia?
Anorexia and bulimia are serious eating disorders and potentially life-threatening conditions. Often, recovery professionals tend to focus on and address the short-term effects only. But while those might be immediate and serious, long-term effects of anorexia and bulimia can seriously impact the physical, emotional, and mental health of the victim and should, therefore, be given enough attention. It is mostly assumed that after a patient recovers, they will immediately bounce back. However, the effects of anorexia and bulimia can last long past the acute and recovery period.
Below are five major long-term effects of Anorexia and Bulimia
1. Damage to the cardiovascular system
When you consume insufficient calories as with anorexia, the body depletes the calories and begins to consume tissues and muscles. The heart muscles are affected in the process, and long-term malnutrition gradually weakens the heart. In the long run, the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to other parts of the body, which can result in low blood pressure, heart palpitations, or even a cardiac arrest.
2. Brittle bones
Lack of enough calcium supply in the body at a young age can result in bone and joint problems in adulthood. People who suffered bulimia at a younger age have been seen to have a lower bone density. Women who suffer from both anorexia and bulimia are even at higher risk for osteopenia or even osteoporosis.
3. Damage of the gastrointestinal system
This is the most common long-term side effect of anorexia and bulimia. Insufficient supply of food interferes with the normal digestion process, which can result in constipation, bloating, blood sugar fluctuations, bacterial infections, or even blocked intestines. Repeated vomiting in bulimia patients also weakens the stomach muscles and is most likely to result in acid reflux. Laxatives used by bulimia patients to induce vomiting can damage nerve endings in the intestines and anus, which can cause severe constipation and tooth decay.
4. Kidney problems
Like many other eating disorders, bulimia and anorexia patients are often dehydrated. One of the long-term effects of chronic dehydration is damage to the kidneys. Bulimic patients have higher chances of developing kidney stones and, in the worst-case scenario, kidney failure.
5. Fertility problems
Malnutrition associated with anorexia and bulimia can affect the normal production of sex hormones in both males and females. In women, it can start by missing menstrual periods as the body begins to shut non-essential functions. Unfortunately, infertility can only be discovered later in life when a person tries to have children.
These are just a few negative long-term consequences of bulimia and anorexia. Others include diabetes, neurological problems, damage to the throat, and anemia. Getting timely and professional help is the best way to increase the chances of recovery and possibly lower the severity of the long-term effects.

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