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Medical Complications
Eating disorders not only cause emotional suffering. They can also lead to many serious medical complications and in some cases even death.
Below we have provided a list of some of the more commonly seen medical problems that individuals develop in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The medical problems associated with anorexia nervosa result primarily from physiological starvation whereas the complications from bulimia nervosa stem from purging symptoms.
This list is not exhaustive, and the complications range in severity from minor to life threatening. When anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa becomes severe, it often requires close medical monitoring or even hospitalization to address the medical consequences. The chief physical complication of binge eating disorder is obesity, which can lead to a variety of medical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Medical Complications Seen in Anorexia Nervosa
- cardiac abnormalities (slow heart rate, disturbances in the heart's rhythm)
- dangerously low blood pressure
- dangerously low body temperature
- low white blood cell count
- chronic constipation
- osteoporosis (brittle, weak bones)
- for teenagers, slowed growth or development, short stature
- loss of menstrual periods
- infertility
- hair loss and nail destruction
Medical Complications Seen in Bulimia Nervosa
- electrolyte abnormalities that can lead to heart rhythm disturbances
 dehydration
- dangerously low blood pressure
- menstrual cycle abnormalities
- enlarged parotid glands
- destruction of dental enamel and cavities
- bowel abnormalities
Photo Credits
Stethoscope by
Sphygmomanometer by
This page was updated on October 20, 2009.
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