People often make the mistake of thinking that you can tell that someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them. Eating disorders are, in fact, not always visible on the outside (i.e by judging if someone is skinny or not). Many people may have an eating disorder without it being completely visible. An eating disorder is very much psychological and the effects an eating disorder has on the body are many more than just loosing weight and becoming emaciated. All eating disorders are very dangerous as they seriously jeopardize your health. Following are some of the many effects eating disoders can and will have on your body.

The effects of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are many and dangerous, these effects may occur with any eating disorder or from dieting excessively.

• Hair loss and gain: Severe weight loss can lead to your hair becoming thinner and potentially falling out. An increase in body hair can also occur, this due to the body trying to retain warmth as the essential fat normally keeping the body warm is lost from excessive dieting. This type of body hair is called lanugo.
• Dry skin: Anorexia can lead to poor circulation and causing your hands and feet to turn blue and cold. Skin can also become dry due to weight loss and neglecting important nutrients.
• Heart failure and blood pressure: One of the most common causes of death for people suffering from anorexia is heart failure, this due to heart muscle breaking down from excessive weight loss, which develops heart failure. Blood pressure may also drop extensively due to poor body fluid levels which can cause fainting, feeling dizzy and palpitations.
• Concentration difficulties: Neglecting food and nutrients neccessary for the brain and body to function properly can lead to lack of concentration, fatigue etc. Low calcium levels can lead to epileptic fits.
• Essential nutrition: Low protein levels in your body may give you swollen ankles. Excessive dieting may cause vitamin and mineral levels to drop which causes low levels of potassium, sodium, zinc, calcium and magnesium. Low levels of these essential nutrients may lead to abnormal heart rhythms which is very dangerous.
• Strength and Skeleton: Muscles may become weak and break down, characteristically in upper arms and legs. Bone protein loss and lack of calcium can lead to osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures.
• Irregular menstruation: Menstruation becomes irregular when the body weight drops below a certain level, eventually it will also stops which may cause problems making it hard for women to become pregnant. Insufficient nutrients, not enough body fat etc. causes a lot of problems for the body not making it “fit” enough to carry a baby.
• Metabolism: Excessive dieting leads to insufficient amounts of fat, necessary in keeping the body warm. High cholesterol levels can be found in people suffering from anorexia as well as low blood sugar levels and the liver not functioning properly.
• Kidneys and Constipation: Kidney stones may develop and refusing food, emptying the stomach may cause constipation, this is very common. Constipation due to laxative abuse is also common as well as chronic irregular bowel movements.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Dehydration may cause electrolyte imbalance which may lead to irregular heartbeats, heart problems, and even death. (Common among people suffering from bulimia nervosa)
• Inflammation of the oesophagus: Due to frequent vomiting
• Tooth and gum problems: Due to frequent vomiting
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: Due to insufficient food intake.