While eating disorders typically affect younger women, they can persist into, reoccur, or even begin later in life. Unfortunately, eating disorders are a serious health issue for women at midlife.

An eating disorder can affect every cell, tissue, and organ in the body and can lead to irreversible physical damage and even death. They can wreak medical havoc at any age, but the complications for older adults can be particularly perilous. Your body is older, less resilient, and more vulnerable to the brutal punishment that accompanies extremes in eating behaviors and exercise.

The following is a list of some of the physical and medical dangers associated with disordered eating problems.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia's cycle of self-starvation denies your body of the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. The body is then forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy, leading to serious medical consequences.

• Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure. This means that your heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as your heart rate and blood pressure levels sink to lower and lower levels.
• Reduction of bone density (osteopenia), which results in fragile bones.
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• Severe dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure.
• Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
• Dry skin and hair, with loss of hair.
• Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over your body, including the face (your body's response to being cold much of the time).
• Body chemistry disturbances resulting in the potential for life threatening arrythmias or seizures.

Bulimia Nervosa

The recurrent binge-and-purge cycles that characterize bulimia can affect your entire digestive system, leading to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organ functions.

• Electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and loss of potassium, sodium and chloride as a result of purging behaviors, can lead to life threatening arrythmias or seiures and possibly heart failure and death.
• Potential for gastric rupture during periods of binging (a rare occurrence).
• Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
• Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting.
• Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
• Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis.
• Laxative abuse bowel disorder.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder often results in many of the same health risks associated with extreme obesity, particularly the risk of heart disease and stroke.

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol levels.
• Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels.
• Type II diabetes.
• Gall bladder disease.  
• Accelerated vascular disease.

For an exhaustive alphabetized list if medical dangers associated with eating disorders, visit the Eating Disorders Referral and Information Center.