Text Link

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

What is acute anorexia?

No items found.
No items found.

Acute anorexia nervosa is the most advanced stage of anorexia nervosa, which is a very serious mental health disorder. It is the deadliest of all eating disorders and has the highest rate of death of all psychiatric disorders. (1) Sometimes called severe anorexia or extreme anorexia, this stage of anorexia is characterized by a body weight of less than 65% of a person’s “ideal” body weight. (2) Someone with acute anorexia also has the same health complications associated with anorexia, but they are more severe and occur more frequently.

Last updated on 
January 30, 2023
In this article

Signs and symptoms of acute anorexia 

People who suffer from anorexia have a distorted image of their bodies and an intense fear of gaining weight and severely restrict their food intake, limiting both calories and types of food they eat. They may also purge to keep their weight low, by vomiting or using laxatives or diuretics, and/or exercise excessively to burn calories. These behaviors can lead to extreme weight loss, severe malnutrition and life-threatening medical complications. 

In acute cases, the person will often exhibit the same signs of less severe anorexia, such as weight loss, expressing the need for control, skipping meals, irritability, and depression. Those with more severe cases of anorexia will additionally showcase signs related to complications they're experiencing.

Complications of severe anorexia

Severe anorexia can affect nearly every organ. Those suffering from anorexia may experience one or more of the following complications:

Heart complications

A person's cardiovascular health is affected by extreme anorexia. Without the proper nutrients, the heart's structure and function can change. (1) Some medical conditions affecting the heart include:

  • Mitral valve prolapse: The heart has four valves. One of those valves is the mitral valve, and it's responsible for allowing blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Sometimes, extreme anorexia causes the blood's pathway to close, resulting in mitral valve prolapse. Mitral valve prolapse is a chronic condition but often not life-threatening. Symptoms include an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness.
  • Heart failure: When the heart is too weak to pump blood, it can lead to heart failure. Heart failure does not mean the heart stops working, but it can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and rapid heart rate. 
  • Cardiac arrest: This is a life-threatening condition when the heart suddenly stops beating. Signs of cardiac arrest are sudden and include collapsing, no pulse, no breathing, and a loss of consciousness. 

Gastrointestinal complications

People with severe anorexia are at risk for gastrointestinal complications due to weight loss and malnutrition. (1) Some conditions include:

  • Gastroparesis: Food moves through the digestive tract by muscle contractions in the stomach. Those muscle contractions slow down or stop with gastroparesis, preventing the stomach from emptying. Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis include vomiting, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, feeling full after eating small portions, and changes in blood sugar levels. If left untreated, gastroparesis can lead to dehydration and malnutrition. 
  • Liver damage: Those with extreme anorexia tend to have elevated levels of the enzyme aminotransferase, signaling liver damage. Those with liver damage may experience stomach pain, dark urine, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, nausea, and vomiting. 

Skin complications

Skin complications are common among those with extreme anorexia. In mild cases, the individual may have dry or itchy skin. They may develop xerosis cutis, dry skin that becomes irritated, painful, and cracked. (1) If left untreated, xerosis cutis can cause oozing skin, rashes, and peeling. 

Bone and muscle complications

Bones and muscles have trouble developing and staying healthy without the proper nutrients. A few complications that may arise in people with severe anorexia are: 

  • Sarcopenia: Sarcopenia is when the individual loses skeletal muscle mass and strength. (2) The condition is associated with aging. Still, signs and symptoms, such as weakness and the loss of visible muscle definition, are seen in all ages of people with severe anorexia. 
  • Osteoporosis: This condition affects the bones, causing them to weaken with time and putting an individual at risk for breaks and fractures. Signs and symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain or a stooped posture.

You might be interested in

Treatment for severe anorexia

In extreme cases of anorexia, doctors often start by addressing life-threatening complications. Treatment can include a variety of medications and surgeries to keep all the body's organs functioning. Some may also require hospitalization so doctors can monitor vitals, such as hydration levels. 

Once complications are under control, patients typically undergo a refeeding process. Initially, the individual may require a feeding tube to fuel the body. It's vital to re-feed under medical guidance to lower the risk of refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal condition caused by sudden shifts in electrolytes. (3)

Recovering from severe anorexia

Getting out of immediate danger is the primary goal of severe anorexia treatment, but the next step is to start the recovery journey. Each person's road to recovery is different but typically includes a combination of therapy and nutrition counseling. During recovery, the individual will take care of the physical self and treat mental and emotional complications such as depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. 

The experts at Within Health understand the complexity of eating disorders, including severe anorexia. Within Health offers evidence-based treatment personalized to each individual's unique case. Call our team today to start the recovery.

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. DeNoon, D. J. (2011, July 12). Deadliest Psychiatric Disorder: Anorexia. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa/news/20110711/deadliest-psychiatric-disorder-anorexia.
  2. Gibson, D., Waters, A., Cost, J., Mascolo, M., & Mehler, P. S. (2020). Extreme anorexia nervosa: medical findings, outcomes, and inferences from a retrospective cohort. Journal of Eating Disorders. https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40337-020-00303-6.
  3. Cost, J., Krantz, M. J., & Mehler, P. S. (2020). Medical complications of anorexia nervosa. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 87(6), 361–366. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.19084
  4. Santilli, V., Paoloni, M., Mangone, M., & Bernetti, A. (2014). Clinical definition of sarcopenia. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
  5. Vandergriendt, C. (2020, January 6). Everything you should know about refeeding syndrome. Healthline. Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/refeeding-syndrome

FAQs

Further reading

Do I have anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that may manifest differently in different people and can...

Fasting vs. anorexia

Fasting and intermittent fasting (IF) are popular methods of energy consumption that limit eating to...

Self-help for anorexia nervosa

With its ability to significantly impact a person's psychological and physical health, anorexia nervosa...

What interventions are effective for individuals with anorexia nervosa?

If you have a friend or family member living with anorexia nervosa (AN), you are probably wondering how you...

The similarities between anorexia nervosa and orthorexia

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and orthorexia nervosa (ON) can often be confused with each other due to the similar...

Examining ARFID vs. anorexia

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and anorexia nervosa (AN) share...

Differences between anorexia and anorexia nervosa

People frequently use “anorexia” interchangeably with or as shorthand for “anorexia nervosa.” But the two...

What are the mental effects of anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that leads to a fixation on...

What is the restricting type of anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder, which involves an intense fear of gaining weight, a...

What is acute anorexia?

Acute anorexia nervosa is the most advanced stage of anorexia nervosa, which is...

What causes anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a very serious eating disorder, second only to opioid use as the...

What are the long term effects of anorexia nervosa?

In individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), some may experience its effects in the...

The limitations of using BMI for anorexia diagnosis

The body mass index (BMI) is a calculation made by comparing someone's weight and height. It's sometimes...

The dangers of anorexiant diet pills

Anorexiant diet pills have increased dangers for those with an eating disorder. There...

What are the signs of anorexia nervosa?

There are many anorexia health risks, which present as symptoms and signs of...

Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious illness that may manifest in several ways...

Is anorexia genetic?

For decades, many assumed anorexia nervosa (AN) was a psychosocial illness...

Identifying anorexia risk factors

Eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa (AN), are complex and serious...

Is anorexia a disease?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is not a disease. A disease is when there is a harmful change in...

How to help someone with anorexia nervosa

If you’ve found yourself on this page, it’s likely because someone in your life has anorexia nervosa (AN)...

How does anorexia nervosa develop?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder that involves caloric restriction...

The hidden characteristics of anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one of the most widely-known types of eating disorders, but...

Harmful outcomes of the pro-ana movement

Imagine that there were websites that encouraged people not to get treatment for...

Examining the anorexia death rate

Eating disorders are routinely cited as being among the most lethal mental health...

Early warning signs of anorexia nervosa

Facing eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) in your own life or that of a loved one can be a...

Can you have mild anorexia?

“Mild anorexia” is not currently a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical...

Can anorexia nervosa be cured?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious, and, unfortunately, sometimes deadly disorder. But...

Anorexia nervosa statistics: gender, race and socioeconomics

When examining anorexia statistics, or eating disorder rates in general, the results...

What is anorexia nervosa (AN)?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder involving a severe limitation of food intake, intense fear of...

Anorexia in the transgender community

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder involving severe caloric restriction...