Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a mortality rate 5 to 16 times that of the general population [1]. Further, less than one-third of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa will recover if the disorder persists after 9 years, even if they received treatment in that time period [2].
Regardless of age, every 1 in 5 anorexia deaths is a result of suicide. Without treatment, up to 20 percent of all eating disorder cases result in death.
After 3 years, anorexia becomes more difficult to treat, and symptoms may become more serious. That's why early treatment is an important first step.
Extreme anorexia nervosa (AN) is defined as a BMI < 15 kg/m2 in those meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for AN. However, the frequency of medical complications specific to those meeting this greatest amount of weight loss is unknown.
Brain scans have shown that severe anorexia can lead to structural changes in the brain and cause nerve damage that affects the brain and other parts of the body. Once a person's weight is restored, these changes should return to normal, but in some cases, the damage may be permanent.
"You're supposed to be pouring in bone, and you're losing it instead." Such bone loss can set in as soon as six months after anorexic behavior begins, and is one of the most irreversible complications of the disease.
For example, statistically, a woman who has had AN since 15 years of age is likely to live 25 years less than predicted for the normal population.
A normal BMI for an adult is 18.5-25. Above that you are overweight and below that you are underweight. Adults with anorexia have a BMI below 17.5.
The Academy of Eating Disorders recommends inpatient treatment for anyone at or below 75% of their ideal body weight. This is a general suggestion for medical professionals, not a hard and fast rule.
The exact causes of anorexia nervosa are unknown. However, the condition sometimes runs in families; young women with a parent or sibling with an eating disorder are likelier to develop one themselves. Then there are psychological, environmental, and social factors that may contribute to the development of anorexia.
People with eating disorders often don't get the nutrients their bodies need to stay healthy and work properly. For example, people with eating disorders are at risk of heart or kidney failure leading to death if they are not treated. Some symptoms of anorexia nervosa are: thin, weak bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
Eating disorders don't happen overnight; they can develop over the course of a few months or a few years. Like with any mental health condition, eating disorders, begin differently for each person.
The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, respectively, affect 0.5 percent and 2-3 percent of women over their lifetime. The most common age of onset is between 12-25.
It is not uncommon for daily caloric needs of people recovering from anorexia to reach 3,000 to 5,000 daily calories for a sufficient 1/2 pound to 2 pounds per week weight gain until achieving goal weight. This is especially true for adolescents who are still growing and young adults.
Receiving appropriate treatment is the first step towards recovery.
In general one should not be NPO (nothing by mouth) for more than 3–5 days. Sometimes with scheduled procedures (surgeries etc) or traumatic injuries, and sepsis, feeding the patient can be challenging.
Hospitalization for eating disorders
Hospitalization may be necessary if you have serious physical or mental health problems or if you have anorexia and are unable to eat or gain weight. Severe or life-threatening physical health problems that occur with anorexia can be a medical emergency.
In terms of weight, for a 5'6” female aged 16.5 years – the average age of the participants – this translates to 97.9 pounds for the typical group and 121.8 pounds for the atypical group.
Women with a BMI of less than 18.5 are considered underweight. The average woman's height is 5 feet, 4 inches. If you weigh 107 pounds or less at this height, you are considered underweight with a BMI of 18.4. A healthy weight range for that woman would be 108 to 145 pounds.
Terminal anorexia cannot be defined
Evidence suggests the majority of those affected will eventually recover, although recovery is often protracted occurring after years, and sometimes decades of illness [8].
Eating disorders damage nearly every system in the body, but people living with even the most extreme forms of anorexia or bulimia can recover with treatment.
Many Patients with Anorexia Nervosa Get Better, But Complete Recovery Elusive to Most. Three in four patients with anorexia nervosa – including many with challenging illness – make a partial recovery. But just 21 percent make a full recovery, a milestone that is most likely to signal permanent remission.
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder of undereating, and results in profound nutritional depletion. Weight loss and nutrient deficits affect every organ in the body. While most of these changes are largely reversible, the brain can suffer permanent damage if AN persists without treatment.
If a person with anorexia becomes severely malnourished, every organ in the body can be damaged, including the brain, heart and kidneys. This damage may not be fully reversible, even when the anorexia is under control.