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Anorexia
How do people actually die from Anorexia? I'm recently in recovery & I think I'm doing okay. Right now I'm approximately 5'7 & 116-118 lbs. I think I'm doing better. I eat breakfast, lunch, a snack, dinner, & another snack before I go to bed. I still avoid fatty foods though, but other than that I eat pretty healthy. I eat fruits, veggies, crackers, carbs, meats, etc. I probably take in approximately anywhere from 1400-1500 calories a day. Is this okay for me?? I'm trying to gain a bit of weight but it just isn't easy. I'm also waiting to get my period back. Its upsetting because a lot of people don't know what they're talking about & think that you can just die. Wouldn't I have to stop eating for that to happen?? I'm following up with doctors also & my family & friends are helping me through this. Any ideas/opinions?? Thanks!!
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I first want to tell you how fantastic it is that you are strong enough to fight this disease. How lucky your family and friends are to have you fighting. This can be so traumatic to family watching a person suffer and you have done a fantastic thing in getting help.
Your main questions seem to be is 1400 to 1500 calories a day okay for you. It depends on your age. If you are still in your teens you need to eat. Including fat. It is important for your body and brain to get all foods, including fat to grow. If you are an adult (over 18) just to maintain the weight you are at you need between 1400 and 1500. If you want to gain more, you should bump this up to closer to 1700 or 1800. Once you have reached your desired weight, back off a LITTLE. The ideal weight for someone of your height is between 120 and 130 so you are really just about there. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
The second was how do you actually die from anorexia. All of this information came from webmd.com so feel free to check it out... but I will give you my research here in case you are like me and can't be bothered checking out a bunch of links *smile... I tend to get lazy*.
The first thing that usually happens, especially if anorexia starts in adolesence (teens) is damage to your bones. This is when you are supposed to be developing the bone mass you will have for life. Instead, you are losing bone mass and this is not reversable. Once the damage is done, it is done.
Most anorexics also have low white blood cell counts and tend to be anemic. Both low WBC's and anemia reduce your immune system. This leaves you vulnerable to diseases which could be fatal.
Obviously without eating your body starts to lose muscle mass. Your heart is a muscle. It begins to get smaller and weaker. You develop lower blood circulation throughout your body (bad for extremities) and your blood pressure drops. Heart problems set in quickly and clearly can be fatal.
Anorexia is a mental illness and the fact that one becomes anorexic means they are more likely to develop mental illnesses and eating disorders such as bulemia. These other problems can lead to suicide and cancer (vomiting is terrible for the throat).
You basically just need to consider yourself REALLY lucky that you have gotten help and have the support network you need. I hope you continue to do well and you should be so proud of yourself, truly for putting on some weight and getting this problem taken care of.
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Anorexia can cause death, but you tend not to die of starvation. Other things claim you first.
Loss of muscle mass decreases the effectiness of your heart. Your heart literally shrinks, and begins to fail. The majority of deaths in anorexic patients are caused by some sort of heart complication.
You loose bone mass, or if you are a teen, never develope proper bone mass. This will never repair or heal. You bones will be weakened for the rest of your life.
Of course those aren't the only problems. Your whole system begins to shut down. Your immune system is weakened, leaving you easy prey to any number of viruses.
Between 5% and 20% of people who develop anorexia eventually die from it.
Congratulations on starting the healing, stick with it! The person you really should be talking to about your calorie intake is a doctor. Family and friends are great, but doctors are the ones with actual knowledge. My uneducated opinion is that you are still not eating enough and you are still underweight (I think you already know that though.) Get a professionals opinion.
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Well, of course by just not eating you would starve to death. Your body would deplete body fat and muscle mass until nothing is left for it to live on, causing death.
One of the effects is the strain it puts on your heart. Ever heard of Karen Carpenter? She was the singer/drummer of the band The Carpenters. She suffered with anorexia for a long time, recovered, and fell back into eating disorders again. Her heart was too weak- she died of heart failure.
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Good for you for seeking help and fighting this difficult battle with your eating disorder.
Any questions like this you should feel free to ask your doctor. They can give you answers that fit your unique situation.
Be sure to ask their professional opinion about the after effects on your body based on how long you suffered anorexia, so you KNOW exactly what is going on with your body.
Good luck with your recovery, and keep up with the good work!
ygs-29/f
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