--- title: "Medical Consequences of Eating Disorders" slug: "medical-consequences-of-eating-disorders" updated: 2025-10-14T18:39:17Z published: 2025-10-14T18:39:17Z canonical: "healthhub.cpcmg.net/medical-consequences-of-eating-disorders" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://healthhub.cpcmg.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Medical Consequences of Eating Disorders ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/a196e2c1-0707-4b9f-8164-e8201c779cd7/Images/Documentation/image-0FNBOYN1.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T13%3A27%3A41Z&se=2026-10-14T14%3A27%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=yzms9shv5jq6CmA9kmyYQGBTE2Pa8EkFBeeqj5cmJZY%3D) [![Appointment Info](https://cdn.us.document360.io/a196e2c1-0707-4b9f-8164-e8201c779cd7/Images/Documentation/1650055438388-1650055438388.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T13%3A27%3A41Z&se=2026-10-14T14%3A27%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=yzms9shv5jq6CmA9kmyYQGBTE2Pa8EkFBeeqj5cmJZY%3D)](/v1/docs/appointments-and-contact-information) [![Care Decision Info](https://cdn.us.document360.io/a196e2c1-0707-4b9f-8164-e8201c779cd7/Images/Documentation/1654467115781-1654467115781.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T13%3A27%3A41Z&se=2026-10-14T14%3A27%3A41Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=yzms9shv5jq6CmA9kmyYQGBTE2Pa8EkFBeeqj5cmJZY%3D)](https://www.rchsd.org/wait-times/what-type-of-care-does-my-child-need/)

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 Eating disorders can have dangerous and even life-threatening consequences to a patient’s physical health. Anorexia nervosa (AN) and severe ARFID in particular can be associated with many medical complications due to the malnutrition often associated with them. Medical complications are responsible for about half of all deaths in patients with anorexia nervosa and directly result from weight loss and malnutrition. Below are specific ways that AN negatively affects their health: #### **Heart** Starvation leads to loss of cell volume and wasting and weakening of vital organs like the heart. This leads to decreased ability of the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body, lower blood pressure, and lower exercise tolerance. The wasting of the heart muscle can lead to structural changes of the heart and its valves and can lead to conditions such as mitral valve prolapse. Luckily these conditions can usually be reversed with weight gain. Reduced heart rate or bradycardia can result from abnormal functioning of the heart leading to decreased ability of the heart o adequately pump blood and can lead to heart failure. This can lead to risk of sudden cardiac death, even in patients without previous heart problems. Low blood pressure or hypotension often occur in patients with AN and severe ARFID and may cause symptoms especially with position changes (orthostatic hypotension). Symptoms may include lightheadedness and dizziness especially when changing from laying to sitting or standing, weakness, fatigue, and “brain fog.” #### **Stomach/Intestines** AN can cause delayed emptying of the stomach or gastroparesis and constipation. Both lead to stomach aches, bloating and gassiness and in some nausea and vomiting. Heartburn is also seen due to excess acid production from prolonged presence of food in the stomach or self-induced vomiting as seen with bulimia nervosa (BN). Other complications include liver wasting and inflammation, difficulty swallowing due to throat muscle weakness, and aspiration pneumonia. #### **Endocrine System** The brain to body signaling system for appropriate release of various hormones is often disrupted in a chronic starvation state. This can lead to inability to maintain normal body temperature leading to hypothermia. Bone loss is also common leading to increased risk of fractures. Chronic high levels of the stress hormone cortisol can lead to worsening anxiety and depression. Thyroid function can also be negatively affected in some patients leading to various symptoms including poor temperature control, diarrhea/constipation, skin/nail changes, and energy level. #### **Lungs** The malnutrition can lead to weakness of respiratory muscles leading to decreased breathing capacity and shortness of breath. #### **Kidneys** Kidney function in patients with AN may become impaired leading to loss of excess fluid and certain electrolytes in the urine which can result in electrolyte abnormalities including high sodium, low potassium, low magnesium, and low phosphate levels. This can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities, bone loss, muscle cramps and weakness, nausea/vomiting, numbness/tingling of hands/feet. #### **Skin** Starvation can lead to many skin changes including dry, scaly skin, hair loss, development of fine downy hair on the body, increased acne, yellowing or darkening of the skin, cold bluish hands or feet, dandruff, slower skin wound healing. #### **Blood** Starvation affects the bone marrow which is where blood cells are produced. Eating disorder patients often are anemic leading to lightheadedness, dizziness, and fatigue. They also tend to have low white blood cell counts placing them at higher risk for infections and low platelet counts leading to easy bruising and bleeding. #### **Brain** Wasting of brain tissue have been observed in brain imaging of patients with AN. Encephalopathy or altered mental status may occur in patients who are deficient in certain vitamins. #### **Reproductive System** Up to 75% of females with AN stop having periods due to disruption of normal hormone release from the brain to the ovaries. This usually occurs when a patient has experienced 10-15% of loss from their normal weight. However, some girls may experience loss of periods even before a significant weight loss has been observed. Some girls and women may experience infertility that can persist despite recovery from their eating disorder. It should be noted that apparent loss of periods does NOT mean that girls with AN cannot become pregnant. Patients should still use contraception during sexual intercourse if pregnancy is not desired. Pregnancies in patients with AN are considered “high risk” due to increased incidence of complications for both the mother and the fetus. ## 📚 Article Information Reviewed by PL MD Behavioral Health Committee, JW MD Patient Education Committee.