Anorexia Essay

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Recommended: Effects of eating disorders on society

Anorexia has many negative effects as well. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centers article Eating Disorders, “Anorexia nervosa can increase the risk for serious health problems such as: hormonal changes including reproductive, thyroid, stress, and growth hormones, heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythm, electrolyte imbalance, fertility problems, bone density loss, anemia, and neurological problems.” Anorexia can severely affect a person internally. The continuous lack of nutrients can leave an anorexic person extremely frail. The heart in particular can grow so weak, that heart failure occurs. Eating disorders can lead too permanent health damages can stay with a person for the rest of their life. With the idea that without proper nutrients the body becomes very weak in mind, it is safe to say one is more susceptible to illness. Researchers are still working to discover more illnesses and diseases that are linked to eating disorders. According to the article Leukemia Linked to Eating Disorders, “The prevalence of leukemia among patients with eating disorders seems higher than that in the general population. We do not suggest that a specific relation exists between a type of eating disorder and a type of leukemia, but a protracted malnutrition state may affect general systems such as the immune system” (830-831). Although there is not a direct correlation between eating disorders and leukemia, the lack of nutrients can lead to malnutrition. When the body is weak, the immune system will weaken as well. A person is then more vulnerable to illness, or in this case leukemia. One of the main external factors in the development of an eating disorder is the media. The media objectifies both men and women throug... ... middle of paper ... ...rly on, then it would be much easier for the person to receive help from a professional. There are countless health problems that an eating disorder can lead to. However; if caught in time, professional assistance can help a person to overcome a disorder. I personally feel invested in this topic because my best friend developed an eating disorder. It was hard for me to see how much she hated the way she looked. I watched her weight drop to an unhealthy size in a matter of months. Thankfully, with the help of therapy, she has since moved past it. Learning the signs and characteristics of an eating disorder can aid in identifying individuals at risk. If you are suspicious that someone you know could have an eating disorder, it is important you talk to them about it. The results of eating disorders being caught early on could be the difference between life and death.

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