Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious, often chronic, and life-threatening, that usually occurs in teenage girls, but it can also occur in teenage boys, and adult women and men. Anorexia can put a serious strain on many of the body's organs and physiological resources; it has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition, with approximately 10% of people diagnosed with the condition eventually dying due to related factors. People with anorexia are obsessed with being thin. Anorexia isn't just a problem with food or weight. It's an attempt to use food and weight to deal with emotional problems. The cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown, although it is likely that both inherent biological factors and factors in the patient's social environment play a part. The disease is mainly encountered in the western world and is more common among women in certain professions, such as models and ballet dancers. People with severe anorexia may be at risk of death from starvation.

Anorexia nervosa is self-imposed starvation. Someone with anorexia may also have a distorted body image, shown by thinking she or he is fat, wearing baggy clothes, weighing her or himself many times a day, and fearing weight gain. Anorexia nervosa is significantly more frequent in white populations than in people of other races, but it has been reported among all races. Food and eating dominate the life of a person with anorexia nervosa. Weight loss is achieved by excessive dieting and other extreme ways of controlling weight. The disorder usually begins in adolescence, occasionally earlier, and less commonly in adulthood. Anorexia nervosa primarily affects people in middle and upper socioeconomic classes. Treatment of anorexia is difficult, because people with anorexia believe there is nothing wrong with them. In some cases, medication is necessary, especially where there is depression or serious compulsive symptoms. Treatment by the family doctor is possible, although sometimes a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in eating disorders is necessary.

Causes of Anorexia nervosa

The common causes and risk factor's of Anorexia nervosa:

The exect cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown.
Severe trauma or emotional stress (such as the death of a loved one or sexual abuse) during puberty or prepuberty.
Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain.
A cultural environment that puts a high value on thin or lean bodies.
Family history of anorexia.
History of sexual abuse or other traumatic event.

Symptoms of Anorexia nervosa

Some sign and symptom related to Anorexia nervosa are as follows:

Low blood pressure.
Deliberate self-starvation with weight loss.
Denial of hunger.
Absent or irregular periods.
Skeletal muscle atrophy.
Greater amounts of hair on the body or the face.
Blotchy or yellow skin.

Treatment of Anorexia nervosa

There are no medicines to treat anorexia. But if you are depressed or anxious, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant medicine.
A well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is important for healthy bones.
Individual psychotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment for anorexia nervosa, especially for people who are beyond adolescence and who are not living at home.
Anorexia nervosa is best treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication

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