Anorexia Nervosa

Excessive Weight Loss Can Kill You!

What is anorexia nervosa? You shouldnt be surprised if you havent heard of it, only 0.6% of American
adults are affected by it, and only 0.3% of young women worldwide. Despite being a treatable disease, the
National Institute of Mental Health (or NIMH) says that less than 40% ever receive treatment. The same
source says estimates that 10% of those with Anorexia Nervosa die of complications. Another source, the
Renfew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, gives a much higher figure of 20%.
Medically speaking, Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder wherein the person affected is overly obsessed
about his or her weight. It is a life-threatening condition characterized by extreme weight loss and food
deprivation. Because of severe malnutrition, victims of Anorexia Nervosa are severely underweight with an
unfounded mental fear of gaining weight.
Causes
No scientific explanation is available as to the cause of Anorexia Nervosa; simply put, it is unknown.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (or NAMI), sociological and behavioral factors are
considered risk factors. Conditions such as divorce, loss of job, unfulfilled ambitions and death in the
family are all believed to be some of the many possible causes.
It is also more common in societies where obesity is prevalent and where the media frequently promotes
the ideal female as thin. Theres a pressure to catch up with the Joneses, and results can be tragic.
Anorexia Nervosa is more common in white females, specifically those who have a high economic status
or those who have goal-oriented personalities.
Recent studies by the National Eating Disorder Collaboration have shown that it may be hereditary. Those
with a first degree relative suffering from anorexia are 50% more likely to develop the condition as
compared to the general population. It is also believed that Anorexia victims are linked with overly
controlling mothers, although no studies have been done to prove this.


Signs and Symptoms
Those with Anorexia Nervosa have an intense fear of
gaining weight and use a variety of methods to ensure
weight loss. Anorexics have a distorted body image
wherein they believe that they are fat even if they are
morbidly thin (meaning they weigh 15% below the
ideal body weight for their sex, age and height). They
have the obsessive tendency to frequently weigh
themselves and tediously count their calorie intake.
Strange eating habits such as cutting food into very
small pieces or eating in secret is also common. They
over-exercise compulsively even if they are sick,
busy or hurt just to achieve weight loss. Aside from
strict dieting and exercise, they may take water pills,
emetics and laxatives. Their weight loss is often rapid
and a person can go from the ideal weight to being
sickly thin after just a few months.
Hair loss and dry skin will develop along with heart
problems, seizures, and poor memory and judgment
because of the electrolyte imbalance in their bodies.
Their bones will become brittle, their teeth will show some signs of erosion and they are more likely to
suffer infections. Because of their prolonged drinking of laxatives, they may also suffer from constipation
and abdominal pains. Women with anorexia have irregular menstrual periods and may have growths of
fine body hair. They also tend to have edematous hands and feet due to the decreased levels of protein in
their bodies.
People with anorexia also suffer depression or anxiety. They often have a feeling of worthlessness and
need to exert control. Social withdrawal is not uncommon among them. They also tend to wear baggy
clothes to hide their thinness and often lie about how much theyre eating.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Anorexia Nervosa can be quite a challenge. People with this condition rarely seek help as they
believe they are not suffering from any physical or psychological problem. In addition, they are often
ashamed of themselves and tend to be very secretive. In many cases, it may take years before friends and
families notice significant weight loss and the medical illnesses associated with starvation.
Most people suffering from Anorexia Nervosa can be properly diagnosed once they are admitted for
medical complications because of poor food intake and electrolyte imbalance. Oftentimes they are rushed
to the emergency room because of dehydration, low blood sugar levels or heart complications.
There is no diagnostic test for Anorexia Nervosa; laboratory exams are needed to exclude any medical
conditions that may be causing the weight loss. In addition, these tests will also evaluate the degree of
dehydration, malnutrition and electrolyte imbalance. Medical problems such as infections, cardiac
problems and malnutrition need to be corrected before a person is referred for psychiatric evaluation.
A psychiatrist or psychologist will be the one to evaluate the person through a series of interviews and
determine whether a person indeed has Anorexia Nervosa.
Treatment

The primary goals in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa includes restoring the patient back to his or her
ideal weight, reversing malnutrition, treating the associated problems such as depression or anxiety, and
reducing negative eating behaviors and thoughts.
Nutrition counseling remains one of the cornerstones in the management of Anorexia Nervosa. A nutrition
counselor is often employed to draw a diet plan and help the patient make healthier food choices. Often, a
person with Anorexia Nervosa is started on a low-calorie diet which is gradually increased as soon as he
or she starts feeling more comfortable and develops healthy eating habits. Vitamin and mineral
supplementations are also given to help with healing and reduce the complications of malnutrition.
Psychotherapy is one of the strategies to deal with Anorexia Nervosa. Through counseling, a persons
behavior and thinking is gradually improved and, eventually, he or she will develop a healthy attitude
towards eating. Furthermore, a person is also taught positive coping mechanisms to deal with stressful
situations.
Medications are also used to treat Anorexia Nervosa, as well as anxiety and depression. Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Paroxetine can help increase levels of serotonin and control
depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it has also been shown to help achieve weight gain in patients.
Olanzapine is another antidepressant that is used to treat the condition, particularly in those who also
suffer from obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Family behavioral therapy has also proven to be very effective and is the therapy of choice for adolescents
and young children with Anorexia Nervosa. It has shown to have a very high success rate, particularly
among younger patients.
We offer a variety of weight loss techniques throughout our website, all of which are ... Strive for your healthy lean body and enjoy
The Weight Loss WOW Factor
@ http://weightlosswowfactor.com