It is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to maintain even the minimum body weight considered normal for people of similar age and stature. People with this disorder may have an intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image. Inadequate consumption of food or excessive exercise cause severe weight loss.
See also:
* Bulimia
* Fad diets
Alternative Names
Eating disorder: anorexia
Causes, incidence and risk factors
No one knows the exact cause of anorexia nervosa, but it is believed that social attitudes towards body appearance as well as family factors play an important role in its development.
This condition generally occurs during adolescence or early adulthood. This eating disorder is more common in women and occurs primarily in white women, high academic achievers and who have family or personality oriented towards achieving goals.
Some experts have suggested that conflicts within the family may contribute to this eating disorder. It is believed that anorexia is a way a child uses to draw attention away from marital problems, for example, and bring the family together.
Other psychologists have suggested that anorexia may be an attempt by young women to take control and separate from their mothers.
Symptoms
Most individuals with anorexia nervosa refuse to recognize or deny having an eating disorder.
Symptoms may include:
* Weight loss of 15% or more below expected weight
* Inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas or diuretics in an effort to lose weight
* Restrictions on the consumption of food by choice and often hidden
* Absence of menstruation
* Skeletal muscle atrophy
* Loss of fat
* Low blood pressure
* Dental cavities due to self-induced vomiting
* Yellow skin or stained
* Depression
Exams and Tests
The diagnosis of anorexia is not done until they have ruled out other causes of weight loss. The doctor will determine if endocrine abnormalities, metabolic, digestive and central nervous system may explain the weight loss. For example, extreme weight loss could be due to celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison’s disease and many other possible conditions.
Tests are done to help determine the cause of weight loss or what damage it has caused weight loss. These tests include:
* Chem-20
* Urinalysis
* Thyroid function tests
* ECG
* LH response to GnRH
Treatment
The biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa is having the person recognize that their eating behavior is itself a problem, not a solution to other problems. However, most people who suffer this type of anorexia denies having an eating disorder. Often, individuals enter treatment when their condition is fairly advanced.
The purpose of treatment is first to restore normal body weight and eating habits and then try to resolve the psychological issues. You may require hospitalization, especially if the person has lost much weight.
Supportive care by doctors, structured behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy are some of the methods used as treatment. Severe malnutrition and life threatening may require intravenous feeding.
Support Groups
See support group for eating disorders
Expectations (prognosis)
Anorexia nervosa is a serious and potentially fatal condition. According to some estimates, it leads to death in 10% of cases. The Experienced treatment programs have a good success rate in restoring normal weight, but relapse is common.
Women who develop this eating disorder at an early age have a greater chance of complete recovery. However, most people with anorexia will continue to prefer a lower body weight and be concerned to some extent by the food and calories. Weight management can be difficult and may require a long-term treatment to help maintain a healthy body weight.
Complications
Complications can be serious and may need hospitalization.
Complications may include:
* Severe dehydration, possibly leading to shock
* Electrolyte imbalance (such as potassium insufficiency)
* Cardiac arrhythmias
* Severe malnutrition
* Thyroid gland deficiencies which can lead to cold intolerance and constipation
* Appearance of fine body hair similar to babies (lanugo)
* Bloating or edema
* Decrease in white blood cell count leading to increased susceptibility to infections
* Osteoporosis
* Erosion and dental caries
* Seizures related to fluid shifts due to excessive diarrhea or vomiting
Calling your health care
In case of observing a child is restricting his food intake, over-exercising or are worried about your weight, you should consult your doctor. The timely intervention before abnormal patterns are established can reduce the severity of an eating disorder.
It should go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number (112 in Spain) if you have fainting, irregular pulse, seizures or other severe symptoms in a person with anorexia nervosa.
Prevention
In some cases, it is possible to prevent this disorder. Encourage healthy, realistic attitudes toward weight and diet may be helpful. Sometimes, counseling can help.
Psychiatry Consultation
Psychology Consultation
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