Death. Your body is like a furnace. A furnace needs a supply of wood to keep burning without the wood it will burn out.


Kidney (renal) function may appear normal. However, there are significant changes in kidney function in many people with anorexia, resulting in potassium deficiency, increased urination, or decreased urination.


Anorexics who use a large quantity of laxatives or who frequently vomit are at great risk for electrolyte imbalance, which can have life-threatening consequences.


Anemia is frequently found in anorexic patients. Suppressed immunity and a high risk for infection are suspected, but not clinically proven.


Physical symptoms, other than the obvious loss of weight, can be seen. Anorexia can cause dry, flaky skin that takes on a yellow tinge. Fine, downy hair grows on the face, back, arms, and legs. Despite this new hair growth, loss of hair on the head is not uncommon. Nails can become brittle. Frequent vomiting can erode dental enamel and eventually lead to tooth loss.

If you are not eating regularly, you can cause serious damage to your body. I've listed some of the possible side effects to this below. Why aren't you eating? What is your relationship with food?

You can seek help from some of these organizations...and a support group can help you identify how to live healthy again.

* Academy for Eating Disorders - www.aedweb.org
* National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) - www.anad.org


Possible complications to not eating:

* Severe dehydration, possibly leading to shock
* Electrolyte imbalance (such as potassium insufficiency)
* Cardiac arrhythmias
* Severe malnutrition
* Thyroid gland deficiencies which can lead to cold intolerance and constipation
* Appearance of fine baby-like body hair (lanugo)
* Bloating or edema
* Decrease in white blood cells which leads to increased susceptibility to infection
* Osteoporosis
* Tooth erosion and decay
* Seizures related to fluid shifts due to excessive diarrhea or vomiting