| Anorexia nervosa: Medical complications | 267.000000000000 | Anorexia nervosa: Medical complications | Anorexia nervosa: Medical complications | A | English | Psychiatry | Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Body | NA | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2016-02-02T05:00:00Z | | Seena Grewal, MD, MSc, FRCP(C) | | | | 10.0000000000000 | 53.5000000000000 | 529.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how anorexia nervosa causes malnutrition and disrupts the body's usual functions.</p> | <p>Following a very low-calorie diet or purging food over a period of time can lead to malnutrition and a number of related complications. The body is malnourished when it does not get enough nutrients to perform its usual functions.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Anorexia nervosa can result in a slow or irregular heart beat as well as very low blood pressure.</li><li>Over time, lack of vitamins and minerals can cause bones to become weaker, resulting in osteoporosis or fractures, and can cause hair to fall out.</li><li>Lack of nutrients for proper brain function can result in difficulties with concentration and mood swings.</li><li>When the body is starved of nutrition, it may not produce normal levels of hormones, which can have long-lasting effects on growth, puberty and menstrual cycles.</li></ul> | | | | | | | <p>Malnutrition can affect every part of the body. The following are some of the bodily functions and body parts that are most commonly affected in children and teens with anorexia nervosa.</p><h2>Low or irregular heart rate</h2><p>Anorexia nervosa can cause a person's heart rate to become critically slow (a condition known as bradycardia). The heart may also speed up abnormally when a person moves from lying down to standing up. A very slow or sudden change in heart beat makes it unsafe for someone to be out of hospital. Some people with anorexia nervosa also develop an abnormal heart rhythm that needs to be monitored in hospital.</p><h2>Low blood pressure</h2><p>People with anorexia nervosa may have low blood pressure or may experience a drop in their blood pressure when they move from lying down to standing up. This puts them at risk of fainting.</p><h2>Weak bones</h2><p>Lack of
<a href="/Article?contentid=1448&language=English">calcium</a> and
<a href="/Article?contentid=1447&language=English">vitamin D</a> over a long period can cause bones to become weaker. This leaves someone with anorexia nervosa at greater risk of developing
<a href="/article?contentid=948&language=English">osteoporosis</a> and bone fractures in the future.</p><h2>Mood changes</h2><p>Because their brain is starved of nutrients, a person with anorexia nervosa may experience mood changes, might not think clearly and might be unable to concentrate.</p><h2>Reduced hormone levels</h2><p>With starvation, the body may not produce normal levels of hormones. In teenage girls, this can lead to abnormal or missed periods. This is because the hormones that regulate their menstrual cycle cannot work properly if they do not eat enough fat.</p><p>Younger children who experience anorexia nervosa may not go through puberty normally or may stop growing.</p><h2>Thinning hair </h2><p>Lack of vitamins and minerals can cause hair to become thinner and even fall out. Some people with anorexia nervosa may also experience lanugo. This is a type of fine hair that grows all over the body in an attempt to keep it warm when body fat levels are extremely low.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Further information</h2><p>For more information on anorexia nervosa, please see the following pages:</p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=268&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Overview</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=269&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Signs and symptoms</a><br></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=700&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: Treatment options</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=266&language=English">Anorexia nervosa: How to help your child at home</a></p><h2>Resources</h2><p>
<a href="http://www.nedic.ca/" target="_blank">NEDIC – National Eating Disorder Information Centre</a> (Canada)<br></p><p>
<a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA – National Eating Disorder Association</a> (United States)</p><p>American Academy of Pediatrics –
<em>
<a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Is-Your-Teen-at-Risk-for-Developing-an-Eating-Disorder.aspx" target="_blank">Eating Disorders in Children</a></em></p><p>
<a href="https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/" target="_blank">BEAT – Beating Eating Disorders</a> (United Kingdom)</p><p>
<a href="https://keltyeatingdisorders.ca/" target="_blank">Kelty Eating Disorders</a> (Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, BC Children's Hospital)</p><p>Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario –
<a href="https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/eating_disorder_info" target="_blank">
<em>Eating Disorders</em></a></p> | | <img alt="" height="2577" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/anorexia_medical_complications.jpg" width="3864" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/anorexia_medical_complications.jpg | | | | | | | Anorexia nervosa: Medical complications | | False | | | | | |
