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Eating Disorders and Other Medical Issues

Eating disorders affect the body in many unhealthy ways. Some can happen quickly, like dehydration and tooth enamel erosion. Other problems develop over time. Many women ask whether an eating disorder will harm their ability to become pregnant. Some wonder about the complications diabetes presents. Answer these and other questions as we examine the physical issues eating disorders can create.
Refeeding Syndrome Can Hinder Recovery From Anorexia
Refeeding syndrome is a significant problem in recovery from anorexia nervosa. When a clinical team is not alert, refeeding syndrome can endanger the lives of patients.
Binge-Eating Disorder and Pregnancy
Research indicates that binge-eating disorder may have a significant impact on pregnancy and childbirth. See reports from the 2008 International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED).
BMI and Health: Not As Connected As We Thought?
Does high body mass index (BMI) mean poor health? Not necessarily. BMI does affect health, but even at a high BMI, a person has more control over health than might be suspected.
Anorexia and Pregnancy
Research indicates that anorexia may have a significant impact on pregnancy. See reports from the 2008 International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED).
Anorexia and Suicide
The threat of suicide makes anorexia nervosa especially dangerous. Anorexia has a very high mortality rate, and suicide is a significant contributor.
Health Problems Associated With Eating Disorders
All eating disorders create health problems. In some cases, health problems associated with eating disorders are dangerous and even life-threatening.
What Medical Problems Does Bulimia Nervosa Cause?
The medical problems associated with bulimia nervosa are dangerous and involve more than the digestive system.
What Medical Problems Does Binge-Eating Disorder Cause?
As with other eating disorders, binge-eating disorder can do significant harm to the body.
What Medical Problems Does Anorexia Nervosa Cause?
The medical problems associated with anorexia nervosa are many, and a number of them are life-threatening.
How Does an Eating Disorder Affect Pregnancy?
Does an eating disorder make a future pregnancy high-risk? Draw conclusions from medical research and available data.
Are Eating Disorders Addictions?
Eating disorders and addictions in general are similar, but similar enough to call eating disorders addictions? It's not an easy call.
Disordered Eating and Diabetes--Taking Risks With Insulin
Eating disorders are more common in those with diabetes than in other populations. With the ability to regulate (or not regulate) their own insulin, those with diabetes are more vulnerable to eating disorders and dangerous weight management practices.
Diabetes to Anorexia to Bulimia to...Health
Follow one person's movement through diabetes into an eating disorder, and see how she made it back.
A Closer Look at Dehydration
Anorexia may lead someone to avoid drinking fluids. Bulimia may cause another person to purge them. In either case, dehydration can easily result. Check out this reference on general causes, recognition, and treatment of dehydration.

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