While malnutrition is indeed a serious result of an eating disorder, there is much more to consider. Lets go ahead and start with Malnutrition - a deficiency of protein, iron, key vitamins. Combinations of certain deficiencies could cause severe health risks such as heart attacks, repiratory infections, kidney failure, blindness and death. Starving, vomiting and abusing laxatives can all cause dehydration. Symptoms may include weakness, dizziness and dark urine.
Dehydration can result in kidney failure, heart failure and death.
An offshoot of dehydration is Electrolyte Imbalance - like dehydration, an imbalance occurs as a result of starving, vomitting and abusing laxatives. Electrolytes are key in producing the body's energy and ensure healthy teeth, joints, bones, nerve and muscle impulses, kidneys, heart, blood sugar levels and the delivery of oxygen to the cells. Those of you who have eating disorders are very likely quite familiar with dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Well, this is why you feel that way. Sudden drops in blood pressure can occur when sitting up or standing up, and symptoms may be headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and passing out.