Magazine May 2014 | Page 13

Some Symptoms…

Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.

Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.

Muscle loss and weakness.

Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.

Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.

Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common.

Growth of a downy layer of hair—called lanugo—all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.

Common Causes for Eating Disorders Include...

Low Self-Esteem

Feeling out of control

Feeling not good enough or otherwise inadequate

Related mental illnesses, such as clinical depression and anxiety

Family and personal relationship issues

Being bullied or teased for weight, height, size, or appearance

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

Neglect or abandonment

Peer pressure

Media influences

Cultural standards of beauty

Chemical imbalances, in some individuals, that may control the brain’s ability to control or register feelings of hunger, appetite, and even digestion

Genetics, as eating disorders tend to occur in families