WHAT HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING AND 3 OTHER DOCTORS THINK: WHAT PHYSICAL EFFECTS DOES ANOREXIA NERVOSA HAVE?

Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine

M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA

The physical effects of anorexia nervosa include: • Significant weight loss (more than 15% of ideal body weight) • Distorted self-image; feeling fat despite being thin • Self-esteem that depends on weight and appearance • Amenorrhea (stopping of menstrual periods or a delay of starting menstruation in young teens) • Skin dryness or flakiness • Brittle nails and hair • Anemia • Swelling in feet and ankles • Intolerance to cold • Hypothermia (low body temperature) • Poor concentration • Dehydration • Fainting

Answered by Dr. Marcelle Freire

Doctor of Medicine · 3 years of experience · Brazil

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by intense and abnormal fear of gaining weight and distortion of body self-perception. It usually presents with intense psychic and physical symptoms and the patient usually presents an important change in the way he eats, with intense restriction of calorie consumption due to an irrational fear of gaining weight, which has a profound impact on physical health. Usually, the physical impacts result from malnutrition and the patient may experience constipation, vomiting, nausea, weakness, restlessness, tremors, hair loss, dry skin, menstrual disorders, intolerance to cold, fainting, among others. When severe, it can complicate with cardiac involvement, pancreatitis, liver dysfunction and pulmonary dysfunction.

→ Learn more about anorexia nervosa: See the causes, symptoms, treatment options and more.

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Answered by Dr. Manju Narayani

Doctor of Medicine (MD) · 10 years of experience · India

Anorexia nervosa is a eating disorder that presents with abnormally lower weight than the normal or minimal weight to be attained. The person feels a distorted body weight and refuses to eat. The symptoms include starvation, extreme weight loss, tiredness, difficlty in sleeping, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure.

Answered by Dr. Marcella Abunahman Pereira

Specialization in Clinical Cardiology · 12 years of experience · Brazil

Anorexia causes numerous physical effects such as low body temperature, osteoporosis, fatigue and low blood pressure. It also causes irregular menstruation or absence of menstruation, hair loss, thinness, dry hair and brittle nails.

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Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.

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