Bulimia nervosa may accompany anorexia, or it may occur by itself. It is estimated to occur in 1.1 to 4.2% of females. Bulimia nervosa can lead to severe tooth decay, intestinal and kidney problems, muscle cramps, heart problems, ruptured stomach or esophagus, and death.
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This is not an easy question to answer because there are so many variables involved with the disorder of anorexia. Starvation itself can bring on many physical and psychological problems, and each individual has vulnerabilities that will determine specifics. The possible consequences are many. Physically, a woman may become infertile, there may be cardiac damage, kidney dysfunction or organ death, muscle atrophy, numbness and tingling of the limbs, and any number of additional problems. Psychologically, a person may begin to manifest symptoms of paranoia, personality disorders, anxiety, OCD, difficulty focusing, loss of interest in daily activities, depression, and the list may go on. The important thing to remember is that eating disorders can and are fatal if not treated, and anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. A person who is suffering from an eating disorder should seek professional help as soon as possible in order to have the best possible outcome for recovery. Thank you for asking...take care.
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My daughter was in a car accident in August. She spent nearly a month in ICU due to internal injuries, and during this time she was fed by intravenous means. After release from the hospital, an abscess formed, causing discomfort and vomiting when she ate. That abscess is now gone, and medically there's no reason why she can't eat. However, when she eats tiny portions, she complains of pain in her stomach. If she continues to eat, she throws up. I feel that it is more psychological than physical, but I'm at wit's end trying to figure it all out. Her doctors won't do anything to get her in to a psych ward for treatment, and she's losing weight daily. She is 5' 7", and 100 pounds. When she was released from the hospital they had her listed as anorexic, and she weighed 110 then. She knows that she runs the risk of health problems and even death, but she can't get past this "mental block." Please help!
I am so sorry that your daughter and your family have gone through so much. An eating disorder can develop after a serious illness where the person has lost weight due to the illness or the treatment. An example I have seen more than a few times is someone who has contracted mononucleosis, lost weight, and ended up with an eating disorder. This is because of the affects of starvation due to the weight loss, no matter what has caused the weight loss. I cannot say if there is anything medical still going on that is preventing your daughter from eating, or keeping her food down, but you have every right to be concerned. She is at risk for many more health problems due to low weight and starvation. I suggest that you seek treatment, either an inpatient or partial hospitalization program, or at the very least, get her into see a therapist who treats people with eating disorders. You don't mention your daughter's age, but if she is still a minor, that is good. If she is an adult, try to help her understand the dangerous ramifications of not dealing with this ASAP! The longer this persists, the harder recovery will be. If you need some treatment suggestions, this site offers a list of treament options, or I will be happy to help you find someone in your area. Take care, and good luck! Hug your daughter....Jan
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