The Damage Done:
A whopping 25% of untreated eating disorders cause death. To me, that is way too high of a number. Especially considering that 60% who were treated under-go full recovery! Come on people, if someone you know looks like they may be experiencing an eating disorder get help for them. If they have an eating disorder I guarantee they are not of sound mind to think they need help. That’s why they need you. Annorexia and Bulimia are extremely bad for the body and slowly, but surely if untreated, will successfully kill.
Anorexia Nervosa
- Damages the heart, liver and kidneys.
- The body acts as though it was starving and slows everything down, this causes ones’ blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate to drop. (menstrual cycles may stop due to this.)
- Light-headedness and unable to concentrate.
- Brittle bones, anemia (lack or red blood cells and swollen joint are common in people with anorexia.
- Causes a person’s hair to fall out, fingernails to break off and little soft white hairs, called lanugo, to grow all over the skin.
- Of course severe malnutrition.
- Death
Bulimia
- Constant stomach pain.
- Damage to a person’s stomach and kidneys.
- Teeth start to decay because of the acids that come up into the mouth while vomiting. (To those who have this eating disorder: your dentist will know you have this disorder when they clean your teeth. To those who are scared a loved one has this disorder: A really good sign something is wrong is when they don’t go to the dentist and/or brush their teeth a lot.)
- “Chipmunk cheeks” This is developed when the salivary glands permanently expand from throwing up so often.
- May stop getting their menstrual cycle.
- Loss of mineral potassium, which then contribute to heart problems.
- Death
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