The Physical Effects of Eating Disorders

Ana kills 6% of her devotees. This isn't such a staggering statistic, but what is staggering is the long term effects that anorexia will have on your body either now or for the rest of your life.
  • Liver Damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Heart damage, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest.
  • Loss of muscle mass
  • Infertility
  • Icy hands and feet
  • Gnarly breath
  • Unusual body odor
  • Constipation
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Weakened immune system
  • Dry, blotchy skin that has a gray or yellow tint.
  • Anemia
  • Disruption of bodie's mineral and fluid balance.
  • Basically a gaurantee of osteoporosis
  • Fractures, permanent bone loss
  • Fainting spells
  • Sleep disruptions (yeah, that's where those nightmares came from)
  • Mental "fuzziness" (it just explains everything, doesn't it?)
  • Excess hair on face, arms, and body (ohhh, sexy!)
  • Thinning hair on the head (yeah, that's hot!)
  • If done early enough, the production of progesterone and estrogen is stopped entirely, keeping the girl from growing in height, or from developing breasts, hips, and sometimes even pubic hair.
  • And, Ana's favorite, death!

    Yep, Ana's a lovely little number. Oh, and we mustn't forget Ms. Mia! Not only does she encompass this list, but she also adds a few of her own.
  • Deterioration of teeth (that stomach acid you throw up eats through your teeth.)
  • Increased risk of bowel, reproductive, and breast cancers.
  • Swollen glands in neck, stones in salivary duct (ironically making the bulimic's face look fat.) By the way ladies,if this is repeated long enough, you get to keep the chipmunk cheeks for life.
  • Increased risk of diabetes.
  • Ovarian cysts.
  • Stomach rupture or major damage to the esophogaus
  • Abuse of laxatives leads to bloody diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.
    To tell the truth, for most ED sufferers, these side effects are unimpressive, death even more so. Humans and animals alike instinctively know that not eating will result in starvation and eventual death, so the bulimic and anorexic are not entirely unaware of the consequences regardless of how undereducated they are. But it doesn't frankly matter.
    What the general public doesn't understand is that bulimia and anorexia are not diseases of the body, they are diseases of the soul. The pain of these side effects, the agony of hunger, the burn of stomach acid in the throat - these are nothing compared to the spiritual, emotional, and mental anguish of an eating disorder. The body is only the temporary shell of the soul, and their body may simply be reflecting the condition of it's contents, which should be of primary importance to any friend, loved one, or medical professional. This is a disease that eats the person from the inside out, and it cannot be cured by "just eating." The battle is not won with weight gain. Be understanding, compassionate, steadfast and patient.

    Email: Littleherron@yahoo.com