5 Long-term Side Effects of Bulimia & Anorexia

Eating disorders take a toll on your body and the side effects of bulimia and anorexia are vast, including side effects like:

 COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF BULIMIA

• Unwanted shifts in weight
• Eroded enamel on teeth and tooth decay
• Ruptured or damaged esophagus
• Irregular heart beat and heart failure
• Dehydration
• Weakened kidney and heart muscle
• Electrolyte imbalances
• GI irregularity and constipation
• Russel’s Sign (scratches on fingers and hands from self-induced purging)
• Swollen salivary glands
• Acid reflux
• Sore throat and hoarse voice
• Facial swelling
• Blood in vomit
• Feeling faint
• Low libido
• Red eyes
• Mood swings
• Depression and anxiety

 

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF ANOREXIA

• Weight loss and thin appearance
• Loss of appetite
• Brittle hair and nails
• Flakey, dry skin
• “Peach fuzz” hair that grows on body (lanugo)
• Constipation & bloating
• Cold body temperature
• Anemia
• Abnormal blood counts
• Fatigue
• Dizziness and fasting
• Bone Fractures, Stress Fractures & Osteoporosis
• Amenorrhea (Losing your period) & Infertility
• Irregular heart beat and heart failure
• Dehydration
• Kidney damage and failure
• Elevated liver enzymes and Liver damage
• Seizures
• Low blood pressure
• Depression and anxiety

 

Despite our awareness of the side-effects of active eating disorders however, something rarely discussed with individuals in eating disorder recovery are the long-term side effects of bulimia and side effects of anorexia—even once you’ve chosen to pursue a new healthy lifestyle.

I call this “Post-Recovery Recovery”—the side effects of bulimia and anorexia that happen to your body AFTER recovering from an eating disorder (especially a long-term eating disorder)—and I’ve been there, got the t-shirt.

In my personal eating disorder recovery from a 15 year battle with anorexia, the words “You could die from this” often fell on deaf ears.

While I experienced my fair share of “unhealthy side effects” (such as peach fuzz hair on my body, anemia, a heart arrythmia, osteoporosis, elevated liver enzymes, fainting and dehydration) once I decided to pursue recovery MANY of these anorexia side effects improved tremendously.

However, after I chose a new recovered lifestyle, I soon discovered, my health was not all “rainbows and butterflies.”

After 15 long years spent trying dozens of diets,; following hundreds of food rules; going in and out of multiple hospitals, treatment centers, and tube feeding interventions; and fighting for my life, my body is FAR from perfect, and while I am 100% recovered in my mind, my body has taken its sweet time to catch up.

Here are 5 Long-Term Side Effects of Bulimia & Anorexia No One Talks About in Eating Disorder Recovery (and what to do about them):

 5 Long-Term Side Effects of Bulimia & Anorexia No One Talks About in Eating Disorder Recovery

 

SIDE EFFECT #1: YOU HAVE “GUT ISSUES” (BLOATING, CONSTIPATION, IBS)

Individuals in eating disorder recovery often complain about “gut issues” with gut side effects in Bulimia, Anorexia and Eating Disorder Recovery including:

• Feeling bloated or excessively full after meal
• Chronic constipation
• GERD/Heartburn
• Poor appetite, or insatiable appetite (like they have malabsorption)
• IBS
• Loose stools and diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Nauseas

To a great degree, it makes sense that after a period of time spent NOT listening to your body’s hunger-fullness signals, eating processed diet foods (Diet Coke, sugar free candy/gum, frozen dinners), abusing laxatives, nutrient deficiencies and significant stress, your gut health would NOT feel well in recovery.

Enter: “Leaky gut” or intestine permeability—gut distress wherein your digestive system and gut lining get weak, “leaky” and/or imbalanced in gut bacteria, triggering both the ongoing struggle with anorexia and bulimia, as well as leaving your gut not feeling well in eating disorder recovery.

 

The Real Causes of Gut Side Effects in Eating Disorders

Other much less buzz terms and presentations of impaired gut health that I see daily in my own functional medicine, nutrition and therapy practice include:

• Bacterial and fungal infection
• Bacterial overgrowth or “SIBO”
• Parasites
• Healthy-unhealthy gut bacteria imbalance (“Dysbiosis”)
• IBS
• Food intolerances
• Constipation
• And a host of ALL the other side effects discussed in this article

 

Understanding the Gut-Eating Disorder Connection

Your gut is the gateway to your health and IF and WHEN our healthy gut bacteria and healthy process of digestion is thwarted and stressed, then “gut issues” and other associated health issues experienced in eating disorders and recovery ALSO occur (i.e. anxiety and depression, autoimmune disease,  thyroid dysfunction, blood sugar  and hormone imbalances, etc ).

Think of the gut like a domino.

If it falls, then the OTHER “dominoes” of your health will also fall—often in the form of the diseases and imbalances you are MOST genetically susceptible to (Krautkramer et al, 2016)

 My Experience

Unfortunately, in my own experience, this was (and is) the case, but most of my medical care providers and treatment programs at the time just discounted my “gut feelings” as:

• “Just part of recovery”
• An excuse to get out of drinking milkshakes and takeout pizza
• The need for Miralax, Colace, prune juice and other stool softeners
• “All in my head”
• An excuse to restrict my food and not eat gluten or dairy

For weeks and months at a time, I’d suck up eating disorder treatment, eating Pop-Tarts, Twinkies, Snickers Bars, Ben & Jerry’s, fast food challenges, Nestle chocolate tube feeding formulas, Boost shakes, Honey Nut Cheerios, Goldfish and pretzels, and the occasional green vegetable, going through the motions, but rarely feeling great inside (BOTH in my head and in my gut).

While eating disorders DO often cause an adverse reactions to otherwise considered “normal” Standard American Diet foods, this is not to discount the impact that processed foods and lack of gut health support can have on perpetuating poor gut health and the ongoing link between eating disorders and gut bacteria imbalances.

Looking back on the accumulated 3-4 years I personally spent in hospitals and treatment centers with these conventional re-feeding treatments and neglected gut health care, I am more than anything thankful!

Without them, I would have not discovered the amazing connection between gut health and brain health and eating disorders (the brain-gut connection) (Borgo et al, 2017), NOR would I be able to look back on the countless “food challenges” and exposures that helped me develop “thick skin” to NOT freak out (in my eating disorder brain) if I was to eat a bite of a (gasp) cupcake or Twinkie .

 

Side Effect #2: Your Metabolism SLOWS DOWN or SPEEDS UP

“Why do I keep gaining weight?!” OR “Why do I have a hard time holding on to my weight?!”

Metabolic dysfunction impacts individuals in recovery on both sides of the spectrum—some people with histories of eating disorders struggle to maintain a healthy weight as it seems their body puts on 5 to 10 to 20 more pounds by simply looking at food, and others in recovery from eating disorders (particularly long-time anorexia) struggle to “hold on” or maintain a healthy weight.

What gives?!

One word: Stress.

Eating disorders do a number on your stress levels—often also referred to as “adrenal fatigue.”

In the stress response, cortisol levels (your stress hormones) are elevated or suppressed in the struggle to “keep up” (i.e. the eating disorder), and eventually over time, this stress wreaks havoc on your metabolism.

What is your Metabolism?

Your metabolism is a representation of how efficiently your body is at using your energy (food and energy stores in your cells, muscle and organs) for ALL your cellular processes and body functions.

If you have a “fast metabolism” it typically means your body burns your energy like a furnace. However, it can ALSO mean you have impaired digestive pathways (and your body is actually STRESSED and/or unable to absorb or use your energy to the best of its abilities), often due to a leaky gut or blood sugar imbalances caused by a period of chronic dieting and under-eating.

If you have a “slow metabolism” it typically means your body’s digestive process, blood sugar balance and/or stress hormone pathways are stressed and sort of like walking through the mud after a hard rain in stiletto heels, your metabolic processes (digestive, stress response, blood sugar balance mechanisms) “walk” less smoothly and efficiently. They get stuck clomping through the muck.

Why is My Metabolism Off in Eating Disorder Recovery?!

Whichever side of the spectrum your metabolic presentation falls on (“fast” or “slow”) in eating disorder recovery, the bigger question is WHY is it STILL “off”—even though you are “taking care of yourself” and no longer neglecting your body now?

Here are 4 reasons your metabolism is off in eating disorder recovery:

Chronic Dieting & Under-eating Backfires

One of the most poignant studies of this phenomenon is the “Biggest Loser” study (Fothergill et al, 2016), wherein researchers followed and tracked the metabolic efficiency of former “Biggest Loser” TV show contestants 8 years after being on the show and experiencing amazing weight loss results from their 12-week stint spent dieting. The findings? Every single contestant had gained their weight back, despite eating “healthier,” and their metabolisms were 1 to 2 times LESS efficient than they had been previously (i.e. they required about 500 calories less for weight maintenance than previously).

Thyroid Dysfunction Happens

Other research has shown that individuals with both bulimia and anorexia experience the consequences of thyroid dysfunction (Altemus et al, 1996) (Warren, 2011)—the organ responsible for making sure your metabolic processes are working in tip top process. Hashimoto’s (thyroid autoimmune disease) is also highly correlated with eating disorder recovery, often characterized by unwanted weight gain or weight loss, food intolerances, fatigue and impaired metabolism. If your thyroid levels are “off,” (i.e. a TSH value above 2, or T3

Blood Sugar Levels Are Unstable

Blood sugar is what gives you energy and balanced blood sugar levels are a sign that your body is using energy properly.

In an ideal world, when you eat, blood sugar levels go “up” (slightly) as insulin rushes in to your cells, giving them energy, then gradually come down with time back to a balanced flatline state of natural, normal energy—no caffeine or sugar needed.

However, in eating disorders, after a period of binging/purging or active restriction, your natural process of blood sugar balance gets off!

Blood sugar levels either get extremely high (hyper-glycemia) or super low (hypo-glycemia) (Mirsa & Klibanski, 2011) as your body becomes less and less able to tap into normal digestive enzymes and blood sugar balance processes since your eating patterns tend to be more extreme.

Over time, the eating disorder conditions your blood sugar levels to function the majority of the time in these extreme states (i.e. under-eating, restricting proteins or fats or carbs, binging and purging, fasting). Couple this with the high chance of “leaky gut” and other gut imbalances in eating disorders, and malabsorption of nutrients in the first place ALSO prevents your body from getting the “proper nutrients” and absorbing the just-right-amount of energy and nutrients to keep your metabolism revving in tip top speed.

Reactive hypo-glycemia (eating but blood sugar dropping) (and insulin resistant hyperglycemia (as seen in diabetes) (Prioletta et al, 2011 )may also occur.

You Get a New “Set Point”

On the opposite end, in research of individuals in recovery from anorexia, researchers have found that those who fought the battle for a longer amount of time, suffered from metabolic “damage” or side effects that entailed needing at least 1.5 times the amount of caloric load as other “normal controls” of their same size and stature (Kaye et al, 1988), and that their bodies were in hyper-calorie burning (Zipel et al, 2013) and hyper fat-burning mode (FASEB, 2008) (Dellava et al, 2009) . Researchers speculate this to be due to the catabolism (break down) of body tissues and organs, as well as long-term malnourished state and a body that “soaks up” nutrition to repair body damage once recovery ensues. Leaky gut and unhealthy gut bacteria from malnutrition also impair healthy metabolic pathways making malabsorption a common phenomenon others experience in recovery as well (Kane et al, 2015)

In short: Chronic dieting, under-eating, over-exercise and/or body neglect tend to backfire.

SIDE EFFECT #3: Adrenal Fatigue

Tired despite sleeping for 7-9 hours?

Need coffee to function?

Crave sugar or artificial sweeteners?

Wired and tired at night or difficulty sleeping?

Hangry before meals?

Afternoon sleepiness or need naps often?

Frequent headaches?

Easily anxious, wound up or depressed?

Horrible PMS?

Adrenal fatigue or “HPA Axis” Dysfunction  is a common phenomenon experienced in individuals in the aftermath of an eating disorder, due to the side effects of chronic long term stress on the body.

Although stress is a NORMAL part of life, and we all experience stress on a daily basis, TOO MUCH STRESS WITHOUT PROPER RECOVERY can throw off our cortisol response.

Cortisol is your stress hormone responsible for helping you “fight or flee” in the fight or flight response. However, if cortisol is constantly called upon and unable to help you fight or flee with the mounting stress, HPA Axis Dysfunction and hormone imbalances are a given.

Even in recovery, as you’re taking care of yourself, your body may still be healing for the time it spent living on edge constantly.

It’s vital to recognize that stress goes FAR BEYOND just mental and emotional stress as well. It can also be physical. Other common stressors include:

Common Stressors in Eating Disorder Recovery

Lifestyle Stressors

• Burning a candle at both ends
• Bluelight screen exposure (long times on screens)
• Social Media comparison/endless scrolling
• Trying to be all things to all people/people pleasing
• FOMO (lack of downtime for yourself)
• Less than 7 hours of sleep most nights
• Overtraining
• Imbalanced exercise (i.e. doing HIIT/cardio all the time without mixing it up)
• Not talking about your stress (bottling it up)
• Not doing things you love
• Exposure to chemicals in beauty, cleaning and hygiene products
• Plastic tupperware/container use
• Lack of outdoor/nature and fresh air
• Lack of play and fun
• Endlessly Google searching answers to your health questions
• NSAID use (headaches, etc.)
• Birthcontrol and long term medication use
• Disconnection from community/meaningful relationships

Food Stressors

• Frequent coffee/caffeine consumption
• Artificial sweeteners (most commercial stevia included)
• Eating packaged, refined or processed foods
• Low water intake (less than half your bodyweight in ounces)
• Tap water (not filtered)
• Frequent eating out (more than preparing/handling your food)
• High focus on calories, diet plans and food rules
• Lack of Vitamin P (pleasure in foods)
• Low carb intake and/or Low fat intake
• Lack of quality protein (amino acids for your brain)
• Dairy (conventional) consumption
• Grains and “gluten free” processed products (with gluten-cross contaminants)
• Binging/Purging and erratic eating habits
• NOT listening to your gut

Consider how you could dial back on ONE of these things….just ONE to start.

 SIDE EFFECT #4: Getting Your Period Then…Losing Your Period

You got your period in recovery…then you lost your period.

Hello?! Where did your period go?!

A woman’s period is her monthly health “report card”—a sign that her hormones are working as they should (especially if PMS is minimal)—and a sign for the woman in recovery from an eating disorder that her body is in a more “stable place.”

However, some people find they get their period back for one or two cycles, only to find that their period goes missing AGAIN—even though they are taking care of themselves.

Healing from an eating disorder is not always “rainbows and butterflies” or “Happily Ever Afters” for your body and the loss of your period can be due to multiple factors that are only corrected with time, consistency, patience, and self grace and love.

As mentioned previously, stress is the #1 driver AGAINST your period happening—and in the case of disordered eating, this is the #1 reason why amenorrhea is common.

Adrenal fatigue or impaired cortisol function equally (negatively) influences estrogen and progesterone presentation (hormones needed to make your period happen). If cortisol is either too high or too low, estrogen levels are “thrown off” and the last thing your body wants to do is be fertile or have a baby.

Blood sugar levels and insulin growth factor production (normal insulin levels) ALSO are key players in healthy hormones. If your blood sugar balance is off (due to poor digestion and/or stress), then research supports that the period may still be “missing” in recovery (Cominato et al, 2014)

In addition, since your hormones are produced by fats you eat and fat oxidation—including cholesterol—if your digestive pathways are still healing, you have leaky gut OR enhanced fat “oxidation” (you burn fat really easily) from metabolic dysfunction—then hormone production (namely estrogen and progesterone are going to be an uphill climb).

Some women can STILL experience ovulation, despite no shedding of their uterus lining (i.e. bleeding), but more often than not, the period won’t happen until stress levels (inside and out) continue to be addressed. This is not ideal however, as iron overload and osteoporosis are also common in women who do not have regular periods.

SIDE EFFECT #5: Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune disease affects 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 6 men—and, research shows if you’ve had an eating disorder, the prevalence and incidence of autoimmune disease goes up nearly two fold.

There are more than 30 Autoimmune diseases that range from Crohn’s Disease, to Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s, arthritis and osteoporosis.

No matter what condition or symptoms an individual has, the universal theme of an Autoimmune Disease is the same—the immune system is suppressed and the body attacks itself.

Enter: Inflammation, increased cortisol (stress hormone), food intolerances and leaky gut or intestinal permeability.

One study (Raevuori et al, 2014) of 2342 patients who received treatment for an eating disorder found nearly a 2:1 greater ratio risk of having an autoimmune disease (regardless of genetic history), compared to healthy controls (particularly hormone and gut-related diseases). The researchers also speculated that the relationship between Autoimmune Disease and eating disorders may be bi-directional, asserting that Autoimmune Disease can further drive psychological symptoms [such as OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder and tendencies), depression and anxiety seen in eating disorders] since Autoimmune Disease is characterized by inflammatory anti-bodies that attack the person’s own body cells—including brain cells and neurotransmitters.

Another study of 930,977 volunteers, confirmed this hypothesis as participants with autoimmune conditions were up to 75% more likely to develop/have histories of anorexia, bulimia and EDNOS (eating disorders not otherwise specified).

Causes of Autoimmune Disease

How does the immune system get “suppressed” and autoimmune disease happen in the first place?!

Considering that 80-percent of your immune system is produced in your gut, the bigger question is: “How is your gut health?” If your gut health is poor (i.e. eating disorder behaviors) or you have a “leaky gut” (intestinal permeability), then you are more AT RISK for developing an autoimmune disease (Mu et al, 2017 ).

Since “leaky gut” is both a common side effect of eating disorders AND a trigger to eating disorders (Lam etal, 2017), autoimmune disease likelihood makes total sense.

Currently research is being conducted on the prevalence of “leaky gut” and autoimmune antibodies in individuals before and after re-feeding, with the authors believing that the increased presentation  of leaky gut arises from current conventional eating disorder treatment protocols (i.e. Ensure shakes, processed foods, etc.), enhanced stress levels and lack of education of proper gut health support during treatment. (Grigioni, 2016)

What to Do About It?!

Regardless of what Side effects you experience in eating disorder recovery, there is always room to feel better and improve your health in your post-recovery recovery!

While it can be extremely frustrating for your mindset to be in one place, but your body still feel like it’s lagging behind or trying to catch up, there is more for you in your continued healing.

Work with a functional medicine practitioner or nutritionist to address underlying stressors and conditions impeding your gut health, hormone health, blood sugar balance and all-around wellbeing together.

Some lab testing may be warranted depending on your own side effects and symptoms, including:

• Comprehensive Functional Blood Work
• Stool Testing
• SIBO/Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Testing
• Urine Organic Acids Testing (gut test)
• Hormone DUTCH Urine & Saliva Testing

 

Based on results, dietary guidance, supplements and lifestyle “therapy” and medicine (i.e. de-stressing your body) help markers improve.

Above all: Know patience and consistency will pay off AND…you are worth it.

The post 5 Long-term Side Effects of Bulimia & Anorexia appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.

Source/Repost=>
https://drlauryn.com/wellness-knowledge/5-long-term-side-effects-of-bulimia-anorexia/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/

5 Long-term Side Effects of Bulimia & Anorexia via https://drlaurynlax.weebly.com/