One of the many downfalls of eating disorders in young people is that adolescents often think they're invincible. This is partially due to the very real physiological fact that a teenager's brain isn't fully developed yet. In particular, the part of the brain that links actions with consequences is still gathering information to support the fact that there are consequences.

Teens and young adults don't know or believe that there could be any real long-term effects of eating disorder on their bodies. That couldn't be further from the truth. The plain fact is that individuals with Eating Disorders will ignore or minimize the significance of physical problems, even when their trips to their doctor or to emergency rooms become frequent. The following section summarizes some of the physical changes that occur with Eating Disorders, ranging from frequent to life threatening.

In Anorexia Nervosa many of the health problems are caused by state of starvation. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and fainting episodes, and the loss of muscle mass occur often. The body tries to compensate in part by lower resting and total metabolism, and through hormone changes such as decreased thyroid and insulin.

Changes are often found in hair and skin including dry scaly skin, fine, soft hair, brittle hair and nails, and yellow discoloration. Slow heart rate (bradycardia), decreased blood pressure and lower body temperature are frequently encountered. A slowing of the gastrointestinal tract may cause abdominal pain, bloating and chronic constipation.

Rapid weight loss that occurs in girls with Anorexia Nervosa causes amenorrhea and a deficiency of estrogen. This combined with poor dietary intake of calcium results in osteopenia and significantly increased risk of bone fractures. Growth rate slows.

Although the anorexic may dismiss the above changes as unimportant, their results can be fatal. As the body is starved, the muscles are starved. The heart is a muscle, and consequently can begin to deteriorate, and heart failure becomes a very real risk. Low levels of sodium, zinc, potassium and calcium, can also cause abnormal heart rhythms. Sudden death due to abnormal heart rhythms caused by electrolyte and mineral disturbances may occur. The blood producing bone marrow is also injured. Anemia and low white blood cell counts correlate with the amount of weight lost and result in increased risk of bleeding and decreased ability to fight infections.

In Bulimia Nervosa, teens consume large quantities of food in binges, and they try to compensate by inducing vomiting, fasting, and abusing laxatives and diuretics. Both bingeing and purging result in health problems.

Bulimics frequently experience muscle cramps, heartburn, fatigue, bloody diarrhea, fainting episodes, dizziness and abdominal pain. Calluses may form over the backs of the hands from repeatedly inducing vomiting. Dental enamel erosions caused by stomach acid occur on the upper teeth.

Recurring bouts of vomiting cause dehydration and disturbances in electrolytes. This is made worse when bulimics take laxatives and diuretics or consume excessive quantities of water to curb hunger pangs. The resulting electrolyte abnormalities can cause fatal abnormalities in heart rhythm to occur.

Gastrointestinal problems may become life threatening. The stomach may become so distended that it perforates (tears) from excessive binging. Retching can cause tears in the esophagus, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ulcers. Sometimes bulimics use a medicine, Ipecac, to cause vomiting. Ipecac itself damages heart and skeletal muscle. When used chronically it can result in heart and muscle weakness and death.

The toughest part about teaching kids the potential dangers of eating disorders is that most of the dangers are long-term effects. They aren't effects the girls will see immediately, so it's easy for them to believe they're going to be alright. And while there is a genuine risk of death associated with eating disorders, most girls simply view it as a scare tactic. Prompt medical intervention in Eating Disorders can be life saving. With effective treatment many of the physical problems described here will resolve completely.