Physical Effects Of Anorexia Nervosa
How Anorexia Affected Karen Carpenter

Physical effects of anorexia nervosa can be deadly, as we've seen in the case of Karen Carpenter. Her death was a result of the physical and mental effects of her eating disorder.

When we hear about a person with anorexia, usually the first thing we do is visualize an emaciated, gaunt, stick figure with grayish skin and dark circles under their eyes. Karen certainly fit this description, especially as her illness continued.

Her friends also reported that due to breast atrophy, at times it was difficult to tell if she was male or female. Masculine appearance is certainly one of the possible signs of anorexia.

As an aside - it's important to note that you can be severely ill from anorexia without being skin-and-bones. There are many aspects of this illness that have nothing to do with outward appearance - or the physical effects of anorexia nervosa that we can actually see.

For the last ten to fifteen years of Karen's life, her weight fluctuated drastically. During the periods of time where she maintained a relatively healthy weight and appearance, I don't think anyone would dare say that she was "all better". It further proves that fact that you can be within your normal weight range and still have anorexia.

Physical Effects Of Anorexia Nervosa On Internal Organs

The physical effects of anorexia nervosa can cause havoc on the body's internal organs and systems functioning. Virtually every cell and vital organ is affected by the disease.

Karen had complained on at least one occasion that her heart was "beating funny". Irregular heart beat is fairly common in those who suffer from anorexia and other eating disorders. This is most often due to weakening of the heart muscle, which causes arrhythmia.

Towards the end of her life, Karen was hospitalized for what doctors recognized as dehydration symptoms . Given the fact that she was reported to have been abusing laxatives, this isn't too surprising. Laxative abuse can produce chronic dehydration.

Upon admission to the hospital, it was also discovered that Karen's potassium levels were approximately one third of the normal levels. Low potassium levels are dangerous enough, but when combined with chronic dehydration, it's a recipe for irreversible kidney damage.

It's no secret that Karen suffered from exhaustion. She usually tried to pass it off on her grueling work schedule, with all the recording, performances and traveling. While this may have been a part of it, most close friends and family members suspected that it was due to her lack of food intake.

The fact of the matter is, if you don't eat, you will be tired. Your body has no source of energy and no "fuel". Imagine not eating (or eating very little) for weeks, or months, or years on end.

Most people probably can't even begin to fathom what that feels like. I've been there, and while it does give you a sense of accomplishment, you just get to a point where you can no longer fight without enormous amounts of sleep.

Based on what I've read, Karen was sleeping for up to 16 hours a day, and people were desperately worried about her.

It's heartbreaking that she was suffering so badly from the physical effects of anorexia nervosa. I wish that the treatment facilities available today had been available then. Karen seemed determined to get well, but just couldn't beat the demons.

Learn more about the physical symptoms of anorexia.

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