Anorexia: Long Term Outlook

The long-term outlook is bleak for many anorexia nervosa patients. Without intervention, the final effect of anorexia is death, with the illness claiming up to 20% of its victims. Even after achieving remission, the individual may be left with numerous health problems. However, studies indicate that the long-term outlook becomes considerably brighter with prompt diagnosis and treatment. Some of the long-term effects of anorexia include:

Blood Problems

Probably the most common after-effect of anorexia is anemia. In extreme cases of the illness, the bone marrow drastically reduces its production of new blood cells, which in turn causes the life-threatening condition, pancytopenia, which is an abnormal deficiency in all blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).

Fertility

Anorexia affects fertility in both male and female patients.

In females, menstruation often stops and estrogen levels decline. Depending upon the severity of the illness, as the body returns to normal weight, menstruation will resume. However, in 25% of all cases, the menstrual cycle and/or periods will be abnormal or may no longer function at all.

The anorexic female is at higher risk for complications during pregnancy. If she becomes pregnant before recovering normal body weight, there is greater possibility of miscarriage and probability of cesarean section becoming necessary. Her baby may suffer from low birth weight or birth defects.

In males, testosterone levels decline. This is especially apparent when it affects growth in adolescents. Even after treatment and the restoration of normal weight levels may not return to normal and normal growth may not resume in all individuals.

Bone Loss

Along with fertility problems, reductions in estrogen and testosterone result in bone loss. The more weight lost during the course of the illness, the more bone loss will occur. Studies estimate that up to two-thirds of children and adolescents fail to develop strong bones even during periods of growth that occur during and after treatment.

Neurological Problems

Studies indicate that the brain undergoes structural changes during anorexia. Experts believe that these changes result in seizures, changes in thought processes (disordered thinking), and nerve sensations such as numbness or tingling. At this writing, it is unclear whether these structural changes can be reversed.

Recurrence

Other than fatality, which occurs in up to 20% of anorexia nervosa cases, perhaps the most severe long-term effect of the illness is recurrence. With prompt treatment, most individuals recover. Still, many women remain below average weight and continue to display the same behavioral patterns, such as perfectionism and low-self image, which can easily lead to a relapse.

Another aspect of the disease is that recovery is slow, taking from three to as many as ten years and making the long-term outlook for recovery seem shrouded in a veil of uncertainty. Nevertheless, although the road may seem long and full of potholes, the journey back to wellness merges with the road to a longer, happier life.

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