Audrey Hepburn, Kristy Henrich, Nicole Richie, Sally Field, Jane Fonda, Mary-Kate Olsen, Tracy Gold all have one thing in common besides being in the spotlight. Some of these women died of heart failure or struggled with numerous health problems due to one major eating disorder. Other every-day women who are writers, clerks, teachers, mothers, teens, grandmothers share the same disease.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder that is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. It puts an enormous stress on the body, especially the heart. "The cardiac tolls are acute and significant, and set in quickly," says Diane Mickley, MD, co-president of the National Eating Disorders Association and the founder and director of the Wilkins Center for Eating Disorders in Greenwich . Other eating disorders like bulimia , binge eating , or orthorexia (excessive focus on eating healthy foods) may also cause heart problems over time. Of course, there are other complications of anorexia such as osteoporosis, hormonal changes and psychological to name a few.
HOW IS THE HEART AFFECTED?
The heart is a muscle. During starvation, it begins to get smaller and weaker like the other muscles in the body. Blood pressure may drop and blood flow is reduced increasing a chance for heart failure. Cholesterol increases. Not eating enough food means not enough minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium that allow the heart to maintain the electrical current necessary for a normal heartbeat. Heart rate slows down causing abnormal rhythms like bradycardia . Fainting spells and dehydration are a result.
HOW TO HELP?
Recognizing the signs and symptoms is the first step. If you are the one needing help you should talk to your parents, spouse, doctor, call the National Eating Disorders Association Hotline at 800 931-2237 or go to their website here . If you are a mother suspecting your child may be anorexic, act now! With the I-want-to-look-like-the-celebrities trend, don’t think you child is safe. At the same time don’t think they will get over it/grow out of it. It is harder and takes longer to repair the heart and body if you wait. You should be a role model and a parent for your child. You will not be able to do it by yourself since anorexia is a psychological disease needing the attention of more than one specialist.
Ask yourself: is your child/teen falling into the thin-celebrity trend? Does my child/teen need to be in a rigorous athletic or dance class? What is the benefit? What about having fun, socializing, and keeping the activity healthy in ALL respects?
Warning Signs & Hotline
Dangers and Effects of Eating Disorders
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa