The Different Types of Eating Disorders and Their effects on overall health

Eating disorders cause a wide range of health consequences, including malnutrition, organ failure and learning disabilities. Many are life-threatening and can lead to death if not treated.

Teenagers and adolescents are especially susceptible to eating disorders because they’re not fully developed mentally and physically. They also face a higher risk of comorbidities (conditions that occur along with an eating disorder).

Anorexia Nervosa

The health consequences of eating disorders are often devastating, and may include a range of conditions that affect virtually every organ in the body. Some of these issues are minor and resolve themselves quickly, while others can result in life-threatening illnesses if left untreated.

Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most serious of all eating disorders. The disorder causes people to severely restrict their food intake and leads to malnourishment.

It also creates a distorted body image. Many people with anorexia nervosa become depressed and have difficulty functioning in daily life.

They may develop complications from being so severely underweight and they have a high risk of developing kidney failure if they don’t get enough to eat.

This eating disorder can also cause a woman to lose her menstrual cycle and increase her risk of infertility and pregnancy complications. Fortunately, treatment for anorexia can help women to gain their cycles back and reduce the risk of infertility.

Bulimia Nervosa

Eating disorders often have severe health consequences that can impact an individual’s body, mind and overall quality of life. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to binge eat and then purge (do self-induced vomiting or use laxatives).

Bingeing episodes occur when an individual eats more food than is typical for them in a short period of time. These eating episodes usually result in weight gain.

During these episodes, an individual feels out of control and they try to get rid of the food they have eaten by consuming excessive amounts of water or by using laxatives.

Having bulimia can lead to several severe health problems, including slowed growth, dehydration and altered hormone states. It also can disrupt menstruation and cause infertility for women who are trying to conceive.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder is a serious eating problem that causes severe health consequences. It can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes and other medical conditions.

People with binge eating disorder may also have other underlying health issues, such as depression or anxiety. This can make them more likely to engage in binge-eating behavior as a way to cope with those problems.

If you think you or a loved one has this disorder, it’s important to seek help from a doctor and other healthcare professionals. They can diagnose you and prescribe medicines to treat any related mental health concerns.

Getting help for binge eating often results in better nutrition, healthier eating habits and a healthier body image. It also helps people learn coping skills and other ways to deal with stress and difficult emotions. It’s important to find a program that can provide both medical and nutritional support. This can include medication, a dietitian, and therapy (individual, group, and family). It’s also helpful to remove unhealthy foods from the house and replace them with healthier options.

Other Disorders

Many other disorders can lead to an eating disorder, including depression and substance abuse. These conditions can make it harder for you to get proper nutrition and keep up with your daily needs, which can worsen your eating behaviors.

People with an eating disorder may also have problems managing their finances and maintaining good relationships. If these issues are not treated, they can increase your risk for other medical complications and lead to death.

Pica is an eating disorder in which a person consumes non-food items, such as dirt, clay, chalk, paper, laundry starch, ice chips, and even hair. This disorder is especially common in children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions.

Symptoms of pica disorder can be similar to those of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Individual, group, or family psychotherapy and/or medications are usually needed to treat this condition.