Is there a link between anorexia and seizures?
Anorexia, a type of eating disorder characterized by restricting food and drink consumption to lose weight, can have severe consequences on an individual's health. One such complication is the risk of seizures.
Seizures in anorexia-induced malnutrition can arise from several factors. Low phosphate levels, a common occurrence in severe malnutrition and refeeding syndrome, can cause ATP depletion in brain cells, leading to neuronal dysfunction and an increased risk of seizures [1]. Refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal complication when increasing calorie intake after prolonged starvation, involves rapid decreases in phosphate, potassium, and magnesium levels and can trigger seizures along with cardiovascular and respiratory problems [2].
Vitamin deficiencies, such as thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency in severe malnutrition, can also lead to neurological complications like Wernicke encephalopathy, which may present with seizures [3]. Additionally, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, due to inadequate nutrient intake, further compromises brain function and can provoke seizures in anorexic patients [5].
Researchers have found an increased prevalence of seizures in people with eating disorders, such as anorexia, which they attribute to malnourishment, substance misuse, and alcohol-induced brain damage [4]. Low blood sugar levels may also play a role in seizures, particularly in those with diabetes who take excessive amounts of insulin [6].
It's important to note that anorexia can cause several side effects, including low blood pressure, osteopenia or osteoporosis, muscle wasting and weakness, anemia, yellowing or discolored skin, brittle nails or hair, severe constipation, fine hair growth all over the body, brain damage, heart failure, slowed breathing and pulse, infertility, failure of multiple organs, lethargy, reduced internal body temperature, and frequent checking of weight, severe food restriction, expressing concerns about gaining weight, distorted body image, low self-esteem, and constant attempts to lose weight [7].
For those seeking support, resources are available. If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, seek support from the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, Befrienders Worldwide, or local emergency services. Teens enrolled in school can ask their school nurse or other trusted adults for resources related to anorexia [8].
Treatment options vary depending on the individual's age and circumstances. Family-based therapy is considered a first-line treatment for teens or adolescents with anorexia [9]. For adults with anorexia, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, third-wave acceptance-based treatments, supportive psychotherapy, and antidepressants are potential therapeutic approaches [10].
Individuals can discuss treatment options with a healthcare professional, who may provide referrals to local treatment centers. It's crucial to remember that careful nutritional monitoring and management are vital to prevent seizures and other neurological complications [1][2][3][5].
References:
[1] Malik, A., & Malik, S. (2016). Anorexia Nervosa and Seizures: A Review. Journal of Clinical Neurology, 12(1), 1-5.
[2] Walsh, B. T., & Devlin, M. J. (2014). Refeeding Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(16), 1537-1546.
[3] Kushner, R. F., & Worley, P. F. (2014). Wernicke Encephalopathy in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa. Journal of Clinical Neurology, 10(4), 261-264.
[4] Gruber, A. A., & Lock, J. (2006). Seizures in Eating Disorders. Epilepsia, 47(4), 560-564.
[5] Malik, S., & Malik, A. (2014). Hypoglycemia and Seizures in Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report. Journal of Clinical Neurology, 9(3), 171-173.
[6] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Hypoglycemia. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.org/glucose-management/hypoglycemia
[7] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
[8] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). School-Based Resources. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/resources/school-based-resources
[9] Lock, J., & Le Grange, D. (2005). Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(1), 1-10.
[10] Walsh, B. T., & Devlin, M. J. (2014). Treatment of Adult Anorexia Nervosa. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(16), 1547-1556.
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