Anorexia Nervosa – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments

Anorexia Nervosa – What it is, Symptoms and Drug Treatments. Additionally,  Anorexia Nervosa (an-o-REK-see-uh) – often simply called anorexia – is an eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight , intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body weight. People with Anorexia Nervosa place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with activities in their lives. To prevent weight gain or to continue to lose weight , people with Anorexia Nervosa often severely restrict the amount of food they eat.

They can control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by misuse of laxatives, dietary aids, diuretics, or enemas. They may also try to lose weight by exercising excessively. Some people with Anorexia Nervosa binge and purge, similar to individuals who have bulimia nervosa. However, people with Anorexia Nervosa often struggle with an abnormally low body weight, while individuals with bulimia are typically normal to overweight.

No matter how weight loss is achieved, the person with Anorexia Nervosa has an intense fear of gaining weight. Anorexia Nervosa is not really about food. It’s an unhealthy way of trying to deal with emotional issues. When you have Anorexia Nervosa , you tend to equate thinness with self-esteem. Anorexia Nervosa  can be very difficult to overcome. But with treatment, you can get a better sense of who you are, return to healthier eating habits, and reverse some of the serious complications of Anorexia Nervosa .

Causes of Anorexia Nervosa:  The exact cause of Anorexia Nervosa is unknown. As with many diseases, it is likely a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

• Biological:  While it is not yet clear which genes are involved, there may be genetic changes that make people more vulnerable to developing Anorexia Nervosa . Some people may have a genetic tendency towards perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance – all traits associated with Anorexia Nervosa .
• Psychological:  Some emotional characteristics may contribute to Anorexia Nervosa . Young women may have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict diets and forgo food despite being hungry. They can have an extreme drive towards perfectionism, causing them to think they are never thin enough. They may have high levels of anxiety  and restrict their eating to reduce it.
• Environment:  Modern Western culture emphasizes thinness. Success and value are often equated with being thin. Peer pressure can help fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among girls.

Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa:  The physical signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are related to hunger, but the disorder also includes emotional and behavioral problems related to an unrealistic perception of body weight and an extremely strong fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.

Physical Symptoms:  The physical signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa  can include:

• extreme weight loss
• fine appearance
• abnormal blood count
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• dizziness or fainting
• Bluish discoloration of fingers
• Hair that improves, breaks or falls out
• Soft, loose hair that covers the body
• absence of menstruation
• Constipation
• Dry or yellowed skin
• cold intolerance
• irregular heart rhythms
• low blood pressure
• Dehydration
• osteoporosis
• Swelling of arms or legs

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms: Behavioral  symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa  can include attempts to lose weight by:

• Severe restriction of food intake through diet or fasting and may include excessive exercise.
• Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of food and may include the use of laxatives, enemas, dietary aids or herbal products.

Other emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms related to Anorexia Nervosa  may include:

• food concern
• refusal to eat
• denial of hunger
• fear of gaining weight
• Finding out about the amount of food that was eaten
• Flat mood (lack of emotion)
• social withdrawal
• Irritability
• Reduced interest in sex
• depressed mood
• thoughts of suicide

Risk Factors for Anorexia Nervosa:  Certain risk factors increase the risk of Anorexia Nervosa , including:

• Be woman. Anorexia Nervosa  is more common in girls and women. However, boys and men have increasingly developed eating disorders, perhaps because of increasing social pressures.
• Young. Anorexia Nervosa  is more common among teenagers. Still, people of any age can develop this eating disorder, although it’s rare in people over 40. Teenagers may be more susceptible due to all the changes their bodies go through during puberty. They may also face greater peer pressure and be more sensitive to criticism or even occasional comments about their weight or body shape.
• genetics. Changes in certain genes can make people more susceptible to Anorexia Nervosa .
• Family History. Those with a first-degree relative — a parent, sibling, or child — who has had the condition are at a much higher risk of Anorexia Nervosa .
• Weight Changes. When people change weight – on purpose or unintentionally – these changes can be reinforced by positive comments from others for losing weight or negative remarks for gaining weight. Such changes and comments can trigger someone to start an extreme diet. In addition, hunger and weight loss can change the way the brain works in vulnerable individuals, which can perpetuate restrictive eating behaviors and make it difficult to return to normal eating habits.
• Transitions. Whether it’s a new school, home or job; A breakup of relationship; Either the death or illness of a loved one, the move can bring emotional stress and increase the risk of Anorexia Nervosa .
• Sports, Artistic and Artistic Activities. Athletes, actors, dancers and models are at increased risk of Anorexia Nervosa . Coaches and parents may inadvertently increase the risk by suggesting that young athletes lose weight.
• Media and Society. The media, such as TV and fashion magazines, often feature a parade of skinny models and actors. These images may seem to equate thinness with success and popularity. But whether the media merely reflect social values ​​or actually drive them is unclear.

Complications of Anorexia Nervosa:  Anorexia Nervosa can have numerous complications. At its most severe, it can be fatal. Death can occur suddenly – even when someone is not severely underweight. This can result from abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or an imbalance of electrolytes – minerals like sodium, potassium and calcium that maintain fluid balance in your body. Other complications of Anorexia Nervosa  include:

• Anemia
• Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms, or heart failure
• Bone loss, increased risk of fractures later in life
• In females, absence of a period
• In men, the decrease in testosterone
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating, or nausea
• Electrolyte abnormalities, such as low blood potassium, sodium, and chloride
• kidney problems
• Suicide

If a person with Anorexia Nervosa  becomes severely malnourished, every organ in the body can be damaged, including the brain, heart and kidneys. This damage may not be fully reversible, even when Anorexia Nervosa  is under control. In addition to the multiple physical complications, people with Anorexia Nervosa  often have other mental disorders as well. They can include:

• Depression, anxiety  and other mood disorders
• personality disorders
• obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Misuse of alcohol and substances

Diagnosing Anorexia Nervosa:  If your doctor suspects you have Anorexia Nervosa , he or she will usually run various tests and exams to help identify a diagnosis, rule out medical causes for the weight loss, and check for related complications. These exams and tests often include:

• Physical exam:  This may include measuring your height and weight; Checking your vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; Check skin and nails for problems; Listening to your heart and lungs; And examining your abdomen.
• Laboratory tests:  These may include a complete blood count (CBC) and more specialized blood tests to check electrolytes and proteins, as well as liver, kidney, and thyroid function. A urinalysis may also be done.
• Psychological assessment:  A doctor or mental health provider will likely ask about your thoughts, feelings and eating habits. You can also request the completion of psychological self-assessment questionnaires.
• Other studies:  X-rays may be taken to check bone density, check for stress fractures or broken bones, or check for pneumonia or heart problems. Electrocardiograms may be done to look for heart irregularities. Tests can also be done to determine how much energy your body uses, which can help with planning nutritional requirements.

Diagnostic Criteria for Anorexia:  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions and insurance companies to reimburse treatment. The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa  include:

• Restrict food intake – eating less than necessary to maintain a body weight at or above the normal minimum weight for your age and height
• Fear of gaining weight – intense fear of gaining weight or getting fat, or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain, such as vomiting or using laxatives, even if you are underweight
• Problems with body image – denying the gravity of having a low body weight, connecting your weight with your self-esteem, or having a distorted image of your appearance or shape

Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa:  When you have Anorexia Nervosa , you may need several types of treatment. Treatment is usually done using a team approach that includes medical providers, mental health providers, and nutritionists, all of whom have experience in eating disorders. Ongoing therapy and nutrition education are highly important for ongoing recovery. Here’s a look at what’s usually involved in treating people with Anorexia Nervosa .

Hospitalization and Other Programs:  If your life is in immediate danger, you may need treatment in a hospital emergency room for issues such as heart rhythm disturbances, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or psychiatric problems. Hospitalization may be necessary for medical complications, psychiatric emergencies, severe malnutrition, or continued refusal to eat. Hospitalization may be in a medical or psychiatric ward.

Some clinics specialize in treating people with eating disorders. Some may offer day programs or residential programs instead of full hospitalization. Specialized eating disorder programs may offer more intensive treatment for longer periods of time.

Medical Care:  Because of the number of complications caused by Anorexia Nervosa , you may need frequent monitoring of vital signs, hydration level and electrolytes, as well as related physical conditions. In severe cases, people with Anorexia Nervosa  may initially require feeding through a tube that is placed in the nose and goes into the stomach (nasogastric tube).

A primary care physician may be the one who coordinates care with the other health professionals involved. Sometimes, however, it is the mental health provider who coordinates care.

Restoring a Healthy Weight:  The first goal of treatment is to get back to a healthy weight. You cannot recover from an eating disorder without restoring a proper weight and learning proper nutrition. A psychologist or other mental health professional can work with you to develop behavioral strategies to help you return to a healthy weight.

A nutritionist can offer guidance for getting back to regular eating patterns, including providing specific meal plans and calorie requirements that help you reach your weight goals. Your family will likely also be involved in helping you maintain normal eating habits.

Psychotherapy:  These types of therapy can be beneficial:

• Family Therapy. This is the only evidence-based treatment for adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa . As the adolescent with Anorexia Nervosa  is unable to make good choices about food and health at the same time as this serious condition, this therapy mobilizes parents to help their child revive and restore weight until the child can make good health choices. .
• Individual Therapy. For adults, cognitive behavioral therapy—specifically enhanced cognitive behavior therapy—has been shown to help. The main objective is to normalize eating patterns and behaviors to support weight gain. The second goal is to help change distorted beliefs and thoughts that keep eating restrictive. This type of therapy is usually done once a week or in a daytime treatment program, but in some cases, it can be part of treatment in a psychiatric hospital.

Medications:  No medications are approved to treat Anorexia Nervosa , because none have been found to work very well. However, antidepressants or other psychiatric medications can help treat other mental illnesses you may also have, such as depression or anxiety .

Treatment Challenges in Anorexia:  One of the biggest challenges in treating Anorexia Nervosa  is that people may not want treatment. Obstacles to treatment can include:

• Thinking you don’t need treatment
• fear weight gain
• Not seeing Anorexia Nervosa  as a disease, but rather a lifestyle choice

People with eating disorders can recover. However, they are at a higher risk of relapse during periods of high stress or during triggering situations. Ongoing therapy or periodic appointments during times of stress can help you stay healthy.

Alternative Medicine: Alternative  medicine is the use of an unconventional approach rather than conventional medicines. Complementary medicine is an unconventional approach used alongside conventional medicine. Alternative medicine has not been well studied as a treatment for people with eating disorders, but complementary treatments can help reduce anxiety .

Such treatments can help people with eating disorders by increasing a sense of well-being and promoting relaxation. Examples of complementary treatments that reduce anxiety  include:

• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Yoga
• Meditation

Talk to your doctor before trying any alternative medication. Natural, does not always mean safety. Your doctor can help you understand possible risks and benefits before trying treatment.