Those of us who read (and write) about beauty know what a powerful impact the "super foods" and eating well can have on our appearance. It should come as no surprise, then, that those who deprive themselves of even the most basic nutrition, have dry, scaly skin that appears very pale, yellow or even grey. If self-induced vomiting is in the mix, the face and cheeks can look swollen. (Vomiting can also cause the tiny blood vessels in the whites of the eyes to rupture, leaving a perma-bloodshot look.)
Like hair, nails need keratin to stay strong and healthy, so those of an anorexic or bulimic will be dry and brittle and the fingers and nail beds may appear slightly blue (due to poor circulation). In addition, the hands of those who engage in self-induced vomiting often have telltale calluses or bruises on them (from rubbing against the person's teeth).
Next: How eating disorders affect the look of the body
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Body
A distorted body-image is intrinsic to anorexia and bulimia. But what does the mirror really reflect back at a body that is malnourished?
Dehydration, laxative and diuretic abuse, and low protein levels are all triggers for edema -- swelling of the soft tissues -- in the ankles, feet and/or belly (which, tragically, can be perceived by the mind of a person with an eating disorder as fat).
A body that is denied nutrients for an extended period of time will also experience a decrease of muscle mass (particularly in the upper arms and legs) as a result of the body literally feeding off of itself.
And because anorexics refuse to maintain even a minimally normal body weight, they have infrequent (or no) menstrual cycles (a condition called amenorrhea), and subsequently risk a delay in, or regression of, the development of secondary sexual characteristics (like their breasts).
Next: How eating disorders affect teeth
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Teeth
In case you've missed the point so far, here's something to drive home the fact that eating disorders offer nothing to smile about.
Repeated self-induced vomiting takes a particularly tough toll on one's teeth. According to the American Dental Association, "when strong stomach acid repeatedly flows over teeth, the tooth's outer covering (enamel) can be lost to the point that the teeth change in color, shape and length. The edges of teeth become thin and break off easily."
Tooth decay can also result from malnutrition. Even if spared the onslaught of stomach acid, the teeth of a malnourished person may begin to look stained, become brittle and even fall out. And the gums will also show signs of infection by bleeding or releasing pus.
Gum disease may itself open the door to bigger secondary problems, as infections in the mouth can spread and could exacerbate existing heart conditions or cause other health problems.
Next: What's happening inside?
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Heavy Duty Health Issues
Think the symptoms of eating disorders that are visible to the naked eye, the red flags discussed thus far, are scary? They've got nothing on the damage eating disorders can inflict inside your body.
Malnutrition and dehydration (including the abuse of diuretics and laxatives) account for a long list of potential health complications facing those with eating disorders: heart conditions, kidney infections, kidney failure, arthritis, osteoporosis, infertility, respiratory infections, muscle weakness and wasting, impaired neuromuscular function, paralysis, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, anemia and diabetes.
And let's not forget death. According to an article published by the Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, 20 percent of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their disorder, including suicide and heart problems.
There are additional health risks for sufferers who self-induce vomiting: gum disease, chronic dry mouth, tearing of the esophagus, gastrointestinal bleeding, reflux, Barrett's Esophagus, and even cancer of the throat/larynx.
All in the name of being thin. Scary, huh?
If you think you (or someone you know) may have an eating disorder, or if you would like more information about eating disorders, please visit nationaleatingdisorders.org.
In pursuit of the thin-is-beautiful ideal peddled by Hollywood and Madison Avenue, most of us have -- at one time or another -- counted calories, embarked on a crash diet, sworn off sweets, or had periods of extreme gym rat-itis.
But let's be clear: There is a big difference between dieting and suffering from an eating disorder.
Eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa and bulimia, are not crash diets; they are serious medical illnesses with underlying psychological issues. Anorexics, for example, have an intense fear of fat and of gaining weight. In addition to severely restricting their food intake, they may exercise obsessively; abuse diet pills, laxatives and diuretics; and/or self-induce vomiting.
And, bulimics, like anorexics, may have distorted body images and a pre-occupation with food. But bulimia is often characterized by repeated cycles of bingeing and purging: Sufferers will eat large amounts of food in a short period of time and then seek to somehow "undo" the damage of the binge, either through vomiting, laxatives or diuretics.
Researchers believe that there are myriad biological, psychological and societal factors that may trigger and shape eating disorders and that they often go hand-in-hand with other psychiatric ailments, such as depression or anxiety. And, while eating disorders are treatable, like any other severe illness, they take a toll on the body.
How prevalent a concern is this? According to the National Eating Disorders Association, in the United States alone, nearly 10 million women (and one million men) are battling an eating disorder. The damage that these eating disorders can inflict will scare you. At least we hope it will.
If you're ready to see what happens to the human body -- inside and out -- when it is denied the nutrients it needs, read on.
