Content of the Article
- What are the Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa?
- Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
- Risk Factors for Anorexia Nervosa
- Effects of Anorexia Nervosa on the Body
- How is anorexia nervosa diagnosed?
- Anorexia Nervosa Treatment
- Anorexia nervosa in the long term
- How to Prevent Anorexia?
- What are the Differences Between Anorexia and Bulimia?
Anorexia nervosaan abnormally low body weight and fear of gaining weight eating disorderStop. People with anorexia they attach extreme importance to body shape.
These people often severely reduce the amount of food they eat in order not to gain weight or even to continue losing weight.
They try to maintain their weight through wrong ways such as vomiting after eating, using laxatives, diuretics, dietary supplements. Exercising excessively is one of these methods.
Some to the extreme anorexia patientsNda bulimia is seen. No matter how successful they are at losing weight, there are also fears of gaining weight.
This disease is not linked to conditions such as food aversion. It is an unhealthy way of dealing with emotional issues. Those with anorexia his only thought is to be slim and to stay slim.
Anorexia nervosa it is a difficult situation to overcome. However, with treatment, healthy eating habits can be returned.
What are the Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa?
This eating disorder manifests physically, but also includes emotional and behavioral problems due to fear of gaining weight.
Physical Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
Excessive weight loss
- Fine appearance
Abnormal blood count
- Tiredness
Insomnia
Dizziness or fainting
Blue discoloration of the fingers
Thinning and shedding of hair
- Not having menstruation
- Constipation
Dry and yellowish skin
Irregular heart rhythms
Low blood pressure
- Osteoporosis
Swelling in the arms and legs
Emotional and behavioral symptoms
Restricting food intake through diet or fasting
Excessive exercise
- Behaviors such as vomiting to avoid eating, using laxatives
Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
Preoccupation with food
- Refusing to eat
- denial of hunger
- Don't be afraid of gaining weight
- Don't lie about what you eat
Lack of emotion
- Getting away from social life
- Irritability
Indifference to the opposite sex
Depressed mood
Suicidal thoughts
Anorexiagoverns the lives of people as in other eating disorders. Unfortunately, those with anorexia do not initially accept treatment. Their desire to be weak takes precedence over their worries about health.
Anorexia symptomsIt can be difficult to notice. Because people with anorexia they often hide their eating habits and physical problems.
One of your loved ones anorexia If you are worried about it, you should pay attention to the following symptoms.
Skipping meals
Finding excuses not to eat
Generally prefer low-fat and high-calorie foods
- Preparing and refusing to eat with care for others
- Being weighed constantly
- Often examining physical flaws in the mirror
Complaining of obesity
- Not wanting to eat with the community
- Callus in the joints and vomiting that will cause erosion of the teeth
- Dressing up in layers
Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosaThe exact cause of this is unknown. As with many diseases, it is likely a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Biological factors
Although it is not yet clear which genes cause it, there may be genetic changes that make some people more vulnerable to developing anorexia.
Some people have a genetic predisposition for perfectionism, precision, and perseverance. All these features anorexia is associated with.
Psychological factors
Some emotional traits anorexia nervosaor contribute. Young women have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to fasting diets.
When perfectionism comes into play, they may think they're not thin enough. These concerns may push them to enter into eating restrictions.
Environmental factors
Today's modern world emphasizes being slim. It creates a judgment that the fine ones are successful and valuable. Peer pressure can increase the desire to be slim, especially in young girls.
Risk Factors for Anorexia Nervosa
Some factors including the following situations anorexia increases the risk.
Be woman
Anorexia It is more common in girls and women. However, children and men increasingly develop eating disorders due to increasing social pressures.
Young age
Anorexiais more common among young people. However, people of all ages can develop this disease, but it is rare above the age of 40.
Teenagers are more susceptible to changes in their bodies during puberty. May face peer pressure and be more sensitive to comments about body shape.
Genetic
It is thought that changes in some genes make some people more sensitive to this issue.
Family history
First degree relative anorexiaThose caught either carry a risk.
Weight changes
When people gain weight, when they get negative comments from others about losing weight, it can cause them to over-diet.
Hunger and weight loss can change the way the brain works, making it difficult for sensitive people to return to their normal eating habits.
Exchanges
Emotional situations such as a new school, home, work, or the illness or death of a loved one can cause stress and risk of anorexiaincreases.
Sports, business and arts events
Athletes, actors, dancers and models anorexia are at higher risk of. Coaches and parents may inadvertently increase the risk by recommending young athletes to lose weight.
Media and society
Media such as TV and fashion magazines often feature parades of skinny models and actors. These images may seem like they paired subtlety with success and popularity.
Effects of Anorexia Nervosa on the Body
Anorexia nervosamay have various complications. When it is most severe, it can be fatal. Death occurs suddenly.
This is caused by abnormal heart rhythms or an imbalance of minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium that maintain fluid balance in the body. Other effects of anorexia are as follows.
Anemia
Heart problems, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure
Bone loss (risk of fracture increases later in life.)
Decreased testosterone levels in men
Gastrointestinal problems such as bloating or nausea
Electrolyte abnormalities, eg low blood potassium, sodium and chloride
Kidney problems
Suicide
Having anorexia When a person's nutrition becomes poor, every organ of the body can be damaged, including the brain, heart, and kidneys. Anorexia Even if brought under control, this damage may not be reversed.
Although physical complications are more pronounced, anorexia Mental disorders are also common in people with These:
Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders
Personality disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Alcohol and substance abuse
How is anorexia nervosa diagnosed?
Doctor anorexia nervosaIf he or she is suspected, he or she may run several tests to diagnose, rule out medical reasons for weight loss, and check for any complications.
Physical condition
This includes measuring height and weight. It controls vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Examines the abdominal area by listening to the heart and lungs.
Laboratory tests
More specific blood tests are needed to check electrolytes and proteins, such as a complete blood count, kidney and thyroid functioning. A urine test can also be done.
Psychological evaluation
A doctor or paramedic will likely ask about your thoughts, feelings, and eating habits. Psychological self-assessment questionnaires can be filled.
Other works
X-rays may be ordered to check bone density, pneumonia, and heart problems.
Anorexia nervosa is diagnosed according to the following criteria:
Restricting food intake
Maintaining a body weight below the minimum normal weight for your age and height and eating less than the required amount.
Persistent behaviors that prevent weight gain, such as vomiting or using laxatives for fear of gaining weight even though you are thin.
Problems with body image
Denying that your body weight is low, has a distorted appearance or shape
Anorexia Nervosa Treatment
One of the biggest barriers to treatment is understanding and accepting that you need help. Anorexia nervosaMost people with it do not think there is a problem, and this makes treatment difficult.
The main purpose of the treatment is to bring the body to a normal weight and gain a normal eating habit. A dietician helps to develop proper eating habits.
It is also recommended that the family participate in the treatment. For most people anorexia nervosa it is a life-long struggle.
Families with the sick anorexiaHe must work hard to beat him. For this, the following methods are used.
Individual Treatment
Anorexia nervosaA form of treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy is often used to treat the disease. This treatment helps change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.
Its purpose is for the patient to learn to cope with strong emotions and to develop self-esteem.
Family Therapy
Family therapy involves family members to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Family therapy also helps to resolve conflicts within the family.
Group Therapy
Group therapy anorexia nervosaIt enables people with the same disorder to interact with others with the same disorder.
But sometimes it can cause competition to be the thinnest. To avoid this, it is necessary to attend group therapies led by a qualified medical professional.
Medication
Take advantage of the local knowledge by visiting our anorexia nervosaAlthough it is not a drug that has been proven to treat anxiety and antidepressants can be given for depression.
These make the patient feel better. However, antidepressants do not reduce the desire to lose weight.
Hospitalization
Depending on the severity of the weight loss, the doctor Effects of anorexia nervosaHe may choose to be treated in the hospital for a few days to cure the disease.
Anorexia nervosa in the long term
Many people have speculated about anorexiaovercomes. However, a small percentage cannot be cured. In some, this disorder can be fatal.
Some may develop other eating disorders over time. In some people overcome anorexia requires lifelong treatment. For this, it would be helpful to join a support group.
How to Prevent Anorexia?
Anorexia nervosaThere is no known method of preventing. However, being careful about the symptoms of the disease will help in rapid diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
If you find that you or a loved one is too overweight, over-exercised, or unhappy with their appearance, you should seek the help of a professional.
What are the Differences Between Anorexia and Bulimia?
Anorexia nervosa ve bulimia nervosa both are eating disorders. They have similar symptoms, such as a distorted body image. However, they differ from each other because they develop different food-related behaviors.
The goal of this process is to test the role and privilege manipulation in order to access the resources of a people with anorexia severely reduces food consumption to lose weight. People with bulimia They eat excessive amounts in a short period of time, then use other methods to vomit or remove what they eat to prevent weight gain.
Although eating disorders are not age- or gender-specific, women are most affected by the condition.
What causes an eating disorder such as anorexia and bulimia?
Anorexia or a bulimiaIt is not clear why it developed. Many medical professionals believe this may be due to a complex combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. These factors are:
Genetic
According to a 2011 study, if you have this condition in your family, you are more likely to develop an eating disorder, too. This may be due to a genetic predisposition for traits associated with eating disorders such as perfectionism.
Emotional sensitivity
People who have had trauma or have mental health problems such as anxiety or depression are more likely to develop an eating disorder. Stress and low self-esteem feelings can also contribute to these behaviors.
Social pressures
Body image perception imposed on visual media such as television can trigger such disorders.